Collins nets a treble to beat Preston as Jones celebrates 200th game in charge with 100th win

Striker James Collins bagged a second hat-trick of the season as manager Nathan Jones celebrated his 200th game in charge of the Hatters by making it a century of wins, Town brushing aside Preston North End this afternoon.

Make no mistake, this was a superb victory too, the Lilywhite boasting the joint best away record in the league this season, having already won at places including Brentford, Bournemouth and Reading.

But despite looking good for the opening 15 minutes, once Luton and Collins in particular had got going, they simply had no answer to what was a marvellous and typically high-octane performance from a Luton side managed by Jones, Town pressing the life out of their opponents at times, with the 2,000 supporters inside Kenilworth Road lapping it up.

The boss made three changes from Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Coventry, Matty Pearson back after suspension, with George Moncur and Kiernan Dewsbury-Halll also in, Luke Berry, Joe Morrell and Jordan Clark dropping down to the bench, joined by the fit-again Martin Cranie and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Town made a bright start, Harry Cornick's spin and cross not read by striker partner James Collins, with Dewsbury-Hall sending a volley miles over the top.

However, a sloppy free kick given away by Moncur on 10 minutes should have led to the opener, former Hatter Jayden Stockley heading Ryan Ledson's dangerous set-piece into the ground and over the top from close range.

The visitors looked like they were capable of spoiling Jones' celebrations, Tom Barkhuizen turning Collins and testing James Shea's handling at his near post, which proved secure.

After rejecting one opportunity to shoot, Moncur did take aim on 15 minutes, his curler not coming down in time.

A well-worked corner saw the visitors go close again, Alan Browne timing his run well to volley wide, as Luton's chances were mainly coming from range, Cornick slicing rashly into the stands.

The Hatters were ahead on 20 minutes though with a wonderful goal, showing they are more than capable of doing it from open play.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's excellent crossfield pass split the defence and Collins did magnificently, chesting down instantly and then side-footing beyond the advancing Declan Rudd.

Having grabbed the advantage, Town then took the game by the scruff of the neck, with some glorious passing moves, as following a dreamy touch from Collins, Moncur's cross just out of reach of the onrushing Mpanzu.

It was 2-0 on 29 minutes when Luton proved how strong a side they are from set-pieces again, a short corner seeing Moncur swing an inviting cross in from the left, which was half cleared to Rea.

He took a touch and sent it right back into the danger area where Collins was waiting to head home his second of the afternoon.

Going for a third, Town were almost hit on the break, Browne lofting harmlessly over from outside the box after a home move broke down.

Still they kept pressing, Moncur having a pop from 25 yards, while the re-energised Cornick couldn't quite divert Matty Pearson's cross on target.

The visitors made a double change at the break, bringing on Daniel Johnson and Jordan Storey, but Luton carried on showing their attacking intent, winning two corners as they looked to put the game to bed.

Moncur swivelled to shoot at Rudd from the edge of the box, as with Preston having used all five substitutes by the hour mark, some brilliant pressing by should have put the game out of reach, a misplaced pass skied over by Mpanzu from 20 yards with Rudd out of position.

Collins was close to a perfect hat-trick, his left footed volley from Cornick's penetrating cross deflecting behind.

He didn't have to wait too long though as on 66 minutes, Town's constant hunting in packs paid off.

A terrible error from the home defence saw Cornick nip in and find Collins, who cut back on to his right foot and arrowed a drive into the bottom corner for a hugely deserved treble, his fifth for the club since arriving in the summer of 2017, and maiden Championship trio.

Just as the Hatters have been, particularly on home soil under Jones, they never once looked like declaring at three, Rea trying to add his name to the scoresheet, firing a daisy cutter straight at Rudd.

Sub Jordan Clark rifled over on his left foot, as Town kept going until minute 90, Tom Lockyer putting a header a fraction wide from Rhys Norrington-Davies' late cross, meaning the only minor disappointment was that there wasn't a full house to witness one of the most complete performances of the season by the Hatters on Jones' big day.

Hatters: James Shea, Matty Pearson, Dan Potts, Tom Lockyer, Sonny Bradley ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Luke Berry 80), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Ryan Tunniciffe 80), George Moncur (Rhys Norrington-Davies 74), Harry Cornick (Jordan Clark 74), James Collins (Sam Nombe 84).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Martin Cranie, Joe Morrell, Kazenga LuaLua.

Lilywhites: Declan Rudd, Darnell Fisher, Ben Davies, Alan Browne (C), Andy Hughes, Ryan Ledson (Daniel Johnson 46), Jayden Stockley (Emil Riis Jakobsen 57), Paul Huntingdon (Jordan Storey 46), Tom Barkhuizen (Sean Maguire 57), Scott Sinclair, Brad Potts (Tom Bayliss 59).

Subs not used: Josh Earl, Paul Gallagher, Joe Rafferty, Connor Ripley.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson.

Attendance: 2,000.