Naismith's moment of pure magic secures vital win for the Hatters

An utterly sensational and quite simply magnificent free kick from Luton skipper Kal Naismith saw the Hatters snatch all three points against Northampton Town this evening.

A contest that was very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show from Sunday’s Vertu Trophy final win at Wembley Stadium, the hosts struggling to get going for large parts, especially in the first half, was then lit up with five minutes to go, as Naismith stepped up to have a crack at goal from full 30 yards.

The captain, who has come under pressure at times from supporters this term, then answered any critics that might remain, capping a impressive personal display, by arching a gorgeous attempt over the wall, beyond the despairing dive of keeper Lee Burge and into the top corner to send Kenilworth Road into raptures, with scenes reminiscent of his late winner against AFC Bournemouth, over four years ago now.

The result meant the visitors, who needed a victory themselves to take their unlikely fight against relegation into the weekend, will be playing League Two football next term, while Luton climbed up to seventh in the table, and could now overtake Stevenage in sixth if they win at Mansfield Town on Saturday and Boro are beaten at home by Lincoln City.

Boss Jack Wilshere made three changes from the side who triumphed in the capital at the weekend, as Josh Keeley took his place between the posts once more, replacing James Shea, while Nigel Lonwijk and Joe Johnson came in for Izzy Jones and Hakeem Odoffin. Knowing they were in dire straits, Northampton made a decent start and might have taken the lead inside five minutes as one long ball beat Town’s newly assembled back four, as Sam Hoskins was clean through on Keeley, who was able to get his angles right and repel the danger.

Luton then broke well, Jordan Clark feeding Nahki Wells whose shot was deflected behind for a corner, while Kasey Palmer was starting to get involved in proceedings, playing a one-two to send a tame shot straight at Burge. The Cobblers didn't look like a team on the brink early on, as on 13 minutes they broke well from defence, a deep cross seeing Tom Eaves’ volley on the run gathered by Keeley.

Midway through the half, Clark won a free kick which saw Palmer step up and 25 yards from goal, unleash an effort that beat Burge, only to clip the outside of the post. Town could quite simply not get going, producing a lethargic performance that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the early stages of the season, and they paid the price with some woeful defending on 31 minutes.

A long punt forward saw Andersen leave Hoskins and try to deal with Eaves, despite Naismith having him covered, leaving Hoskins completely unmarked to race on to the loose ball and lob over Keeley who was unsure whether to stick or twist, and put his side in front. Despite their inability to get going, Luton were then on level terms on 43 minutes as some terrific control by Liam Walsh saw the visitors’ back-line unable to reset.

The ball fell to Lawrence who passed inside to Walsh and he had a go on his left foot which deceived Burge, who didn’t get off the ground, and flew into the corner of the net, as Town’s playmaker scored against the Cobblers for the second time this term, also netting in the Vertu Trophy semi-final last month. Knowing the Hatters weren't at it all in the first period, Luton made a change at the break as Jake Richards was taken off and Shayden Morris came on, a move that was to prove inspired by Wilshere.

The replacement almost helped Town take the lead after a few minutes, freed on the right and sprinting past his man, his cross-shot flashing narrowly wide. Clark saw a curler destined for the net blocked away, before Cobblers had a real spell of pressure, Tyrese Fornah arrowing wide at the back post, ex-Hatter Cameron McGeehan’s effort deflect inches behind with Keeley motionless.

Back came Luton as both sides knew a draw wasn't good enough for their respective ambitions, Walsh sending over a cross that was collected by Clark who did everything right in beating his man but then just lacked the composure for one of the only times this season, rifling over the bar and pounding the turf in frustration.

Ali Al-Hamadi was introduced for Wells, the forward mightily close to putting his side ahead on 77 minutes, thundering a drive from 25 yards which crashed against the post, the rebound just evading Morris. Clark then once again couldn’t keep his head down when in a brilliant position, hammering into the stands on his left foot.

With Al-Hamadi causing some problems to the Cobblers defence, the forward then won a free kick, which saw Naismith assume responsibility, and knowing just how important the victory was to his side’s play-off hopes, score what is without doubt the best goal of his Hatters career, immediately racing to the bench to celebrate with Wilshere, who was booked by referee James Durkin for entering the field of play.

Town kept pushing for a third as well, Morris almost grabbing a wonderful solo goal, as Lonwijk headed Walsh’s corner at Burge. The Cobblers, who were bizarrely guilty of timewasting in the second period, despite knowing a victory was all that could extend their campaign, didn’t ever look like crashing the Hatters’ party though, as it’s now all eyes on Saturday’s trip to the One Call Stadium to see if Wilshere’s men can get above the dotted line to put themselves in pole position for a top six berth.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Mads Andersen, Kal Naismith (C), Joe Johnson, Liam Walsh (George Saville 90), Jordan Clark (Davy van den Berg 81), Kasey Palmer, Emilio Lawrence (Gideon Kodua 81), Jake Richards (Shayden Morris 46), Nahki Wells (Ali Al-Hamadi 66). Subs not used: James Shea, Sverre Sandal.

Cobblers: Lee Burge, Jack Burroughs (Conor McCarthy 71), Dean Campbell, Jon Guthrie ©, Sam Hoskins (Terry Taylor 82), Cameron McGeehan, Tom Eaves (Jake Evans 82), Nesta Guinness-Walker. Tyrese Fornah (Kamarai Swyer 72), Michael Jacobs (Elliot List 72), Max Dyche. Subs not used: Ross Fitzsimons, Jack Vale. Booked: McGeehan 62, McCarthy 76, Guthrie 77, Lonwijk 90, Keeley 90. Referee: James Durkin. Attendance: 9,636. (370 Cobblers).