Luton shock leaders Norwich on a brilliant night for the Hatters as fans return Kenilworth Road once more

Luton Town gave their 1,000 fans a night to remember after producing a magnificent display to defeat Championship leaders Norwich City at Kenilworth Road this evening.

With the match played in front of a crowd for the first time since February 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was a tangible buzz of excitement in the air long before the game kicked off, the lucky supporters lapping up every second of a long overdue return to live football.

The warm-ups were applauded with gusto, assistant boss Mick Harford received a marvellous ovation ahead of kick-off, as did boss Nathan Jones when he was reunited with the home fans for the first time since returning as manager in the summer.

The Town chief had made wholesale changes to his side following the 4-0 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday, five in fact, James Shea replacing the injured Simon Sluga in goal, Tom Lockyer, Jordan Clark, Martin Cranie and George Moncur also included too.

They were in for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, captain Sonny Bradley and Elliot Lee, who missed out completely, with Ryan Tunnicliffe dropping to the bench, joined for the first time this season by Dan Potts and Brendan Galloway, the latter's first inclusion since his horror injury against Brentford in November 2019.

The visitors almost spoiled the party early on, Przemyslaw Placheta out-pacing Lockyer on the left flank and his low shot was tipped away by the diving Shea.

Moncur turned down an early opportunity to shoot as the visitors, plying their trade in the Premier League last term, showed their intent to dominate the ball, enjoying large swathes of possession.

Town did break away with 10 minutes on the clock, Clark cleverly wriggling away from his man and sending in a low cross that Luke Berry fired goalwards, Michael McGovern making a routine stop.

A blitz of goals then followed when Collins cleverly won a free kick on 15 minutes from a hopeful punt forward by Matty Pearson which was quickly taken to Moncur.

He set off into the area and this time didn't reject the opening to shoot, bending a gorgeous effort beyond McGovern and into the net via the post as Town's home supporters had their first goal to cheer since Collins' penalty against Stoke over nine months ago.

Disappointingly, the advantage lasted all of thrree minutes, Placheta beating the home offside trap and was sent sprawling byShea for a penalty that Emi Buendia easily converted.

Town weren't pegged back for long though, as another set-piece, won by the impressive Clark this time three minutes later, saw Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produce a pinpoint delivery for Pearson to thump his header past McGovern, as Town notched two goals in a game for the first time in 10 games.

City then assumed their domination of the ball, but Town kept any leaks plugged, although it looked like Buendia had made it 2-2, a blockbuster from just outside the box flashing marginally wide.

Cranie had to replaced on the stroke of half time after picking up an injury when sliding in to prevent a break, James Bree on, while Dewsbury-Hall's ambitious half volley was off target, as was Moncur's free kick from range.

After the break, Town got off to the perfect start when they took advantage of some sloppy passing at the back by Norwich, Clark winning it back and finding Bree, his low cross handled by Grant Hanley under pressure from Collins, the City skipper appealing that he had been impeded.

The cries fell on deaf ears though as referee Darren England whistled for his second spot-kick of the night, Collins battering his effort into the roof of the net ending a run of four games without a goal and also scoring a first in the league at home this term.

Norwich showed they weren't out of it by any means, Buendia's shot parried by Shea from 20 yards, but Town should have added to their cushion, Dewsbury-Hall doing superbly to get round the back, his cross side-footed wastefully over Berry from eight yards.

Josh Martin, born in Luton, tried for the bottom corner, missing, while Moncur wanted another penalty when his volley deflected behind off a defender, but a corner was all Town got.

For all their possession, City struggled to create anything clear-cut in the second period, Luton defending manfully and with no little skill and determination, Marco Stiepermann directing a rare chance over the top.

A moment of madness from Shea almost opened the door for a way back in, the keeper charging fully 40 yards out of his goal and failing to win the ball, but Town were thankfully able to smuggle the danger away.

Norwich looked like they had a goal back with six minutes remaining, Christoph Zimmermann's blast from distance hitting Jacob Sorensen to leave Shea cruelly wrong-footed and drop into the net, although fortunately for the Hatters, the offside flag was raised.

Town almost put the result beyond doubt in the final minute, a wonderful crossfield pass by Bree finding Collins, who shot straight at McGovern.

However, Luton were in no mood to let the table-toppers spoil their big night as they defended as if their lives depended on it, Potts getting his first action since last term in stoppage time.

Shea confidently claimed two late crosses to ensure the points stayed in Bedfordshire, Luton picking the perfect moment to register a first home win in almost two months, and continuing a quite remarkable run of unbeaten league matches under the lights at Kenilworth Road.

Hatters: James Shea, Martin Cranie (James Bree 45), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Matty Pearson, Tom Lockyer, Glen Rea ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Dan Potts 90), Luke Berry, Jordan Clark, George Moncur (Joe Morrell 70), James Collins.

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Kazenga LuaLua, Brendan Galloway, Sam Nombe, Harry Cornick, Ryan Tunnicliffe.

Canaries: Michael McGovern, Max Aarons, Grant Hanley (C), Przemyslaw Placheta, Emi Buendia (Christoph Zimmermann 81), Marco Stipermann, Jacob Sorenson, Oliver Skipp, Josh Martin (Tyrese Omotoye 85), Alex Tettey (Mario Vrančić 72), Ben Gibson.

Subs not used: Reece McAlear, Andrew Omobamidele, Daniel Barden, Tom Dickson-Peters.

Booked: Shea 19, Placheta 33.

Referee: Darren England.