LuaLua finally ends Luton's away drought but terrible first half condemns Town to defeat

Luton's woeful recent away form continued with a dismal Boxing Day defeat at Reading this afternoon.

The visitors went into the game looking to end a run of four matches without a win on their travels, three defeats included, where they had been unable to find the net as well.

Those hopes were all but ended after what was quite frankly a terrible first half display at the Madejeski Stadium though, Town finding themselves trailing 2-0 at the break.

Luton huffed and puffed in the second period, finally ending their long search for an away goal in the 90th minute through substitute Kazega LuaLua's long range drive, but with time soon running out, it ended up a mere consolation.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones made three changes from the goalless draw against Bournemouth, Glen Rea returning from his one match ban, joined by Jordan Clark and George Moncur, with Danny Hylton, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dropping to the bench.

The visitors were hit once more by an early goal, the third time in five matches they have conceded in the opening 10 minutes, as a well-worked corner routine saw Royals centre half Tom McIntyre completely escape the attentions of Clark to volley home Sone Aluko's corner from 12 yards with just nine on the clock.

Town's inability to come back from going behind when away from home over the last few years is now becoming a real worry, and they struggled to get going in the first period, sucked into going long to James Collins, the striker unable to get any joy out of the Royals centre halves.

Reading's second corner on 37 minutes saw the hosts take it short, Aluko firing well over from outside the box, before Rea's awful ball across his own area went straight to Ovie Ejaria, the midfielder redeeming himself by sliding in to prevent the hosts fashioning a shooting opportunity.

Town's dismal first half offering was topped off as the hosts made it 2-0 on 40 minutes, requiring very little to double their lead as well.

A simple move through the middle after Luton gave possession away saw Sam Baldock pull away to the left, his through ball sliced Hatters' defence apart, finding the run of Alfa Semedo, who easily slotted past Shea.

The visitors should have had the chance to level before the break, with Martin Cranie taken out as he crossed the ball, referee Matt Donohue adjudging the offence had occurred just outside the area, although replays proved it was clearly just inside, meaning Town should have been awarded a penalty.

Moncur put the set-piece straight out of play, as although Luton finished the ball by winning some free kicks, they could never tested an underworked Rafael.

Jones showed his displeasure at the interval, making three changes, Dewsbury-Hall, Norrington-Davies and Hylton coming on for Moncur, Cranie and Rea.

The early stages saw Luton dominate possession, Reading happy to sit back with their advantage as Town passed eight hours with an away goal, Berry almost ending the drought, when his fierce drive was blocked.

Reading tried to win a penalty themselves with Michael Morrison going over the foot of Norrington-Davies, but official Donohue opted to wave play on, when should have produced a yellow card for diving.

The visitors did look improved with the changes, although that wasn't going take much such was the abject nature of their first half efforts, with Kazenga LuaLua also joining the fray midway through.

Norrington-Davies was beginning to get some joy on the left hand side, winning two corners, the second seeing Luton finally register a shot on target, Berry's header straight at Rafael.

With 15 to go, Norrington-Davies once more tried to create a way back into the game, his excellent cross met by Hylton who nodded against his shoulder and behind.

Another dinked set-piece by Dewsbury-Hall led to a mini moment of panic for Reading, with both Collins and Tom Lockyer trying to flick the ball in, Rafael smothering the danger.

With Boxing Day goalscoring specialist Harry Cornick thrown on to unfurl some previously unseen long throws, the Hatters saw Clark hammer one over the bar when losing his footing outside the area.

Town then did give themselves a lifeline in the 90th minute when LuaLua was afforded far too much time and space to unleash one of his trademark long range drives, which was misjudged by Rafael, unable to prevent the ball ending up in the net.

However, there was to be no great last hurrah, as Reading saw the three minutes of stoppage time out fairly easily, as Luton were left to rue their efforts in that opening 45 minutes.

Royals: Rafael, Tom Holmes, Tomas Esteves, Tom McIntyre, Michael Morrison (C), Andy Rinomhota, Josh Laurent, Alfa Semedo (John Swift 67), Ovie Ejaria, Sone Aluko (Tennia Watson 90), Sam Baldock.

Subs not used: Luke Southwood, Jeriel Dorsett, Ethan Bristow, Ryan East, Jayden Onen, Michael Olise, Nahum Melvin-Lambert.

Hatters: James Shea, Martin Cranie (Rhys Norrington-Davies 46), Dan Potts (Harry Cornick 77), Tom Lockyer, Sonny Bradley ©, Glen Rea (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 46), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Kazenga LuaLua 65), Luke Berry, George Moncur (Danny Hylton 46), Jordan Clark, James Collins.

Subs not used: Simon Sluga, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Sam Nombe, Matty Pearson.

Bookings: Cranie 25, McIntyre 45, LuaLua 75.

Referee: Matt Donohue.