Pearson sees red as Luton are beaten by Swans

Luton fell to a second defeat on successive weekends in Wales, beaten 2-0 by Swansea City this afternoon.

Unlike last Saturday, however, bar conceding in the first five minutes yet again, the performances were chalk and cheese, Nathan Jones' side most definitely deserving of a point at the very least, and with some better finishing, might have got it.

They didn't though, having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men, after Matty Pearson was dismissed for his second booking.

The Hatters made two changes, both in the full back areas, Dan Potts in for his first start since the 1-1 draw with QPR on July 14, James Bree given a maiden Championship start of the campaign too, making his 50th appearance for the club.

Both Martin Cranie and Rhys Norrington-Davies missed out, while on the bench was recent U21 acquisition Dion Pereira.

Determined to make a better start then they had last week just 40 miles down the road in Cardiff, Luton didn't, conceding even earlier this time, breached in the second minute.

It was yet again a goal of alarming simplicity as well, the hosts able to transfer play down their right, with a cross into the middle seeing Andre Ayew tee up Connor Roberts, whose shot took a deflection to wrongfoot James Shea and find the net.

Matt Grimes' 20-yarder went over, as the Swans made a far better beginning to proceedings, Ben Cabango close to making it 2-0, heading tamely at James Shea from close range, as Town struggled to deal with a free kick.

On 15 minutes, Jones opted to switch his formation, dropping Glen Rea into the centre of three man defence, with George Moncur adopting a more central role at the other end.

It almost paid off instantly too, the midfielder shooting from 20 yards, his low attempt bouncing in front of Freddie Woodman, who palmed it on to the post.

A deep cross by Luke Berry was then glanced wide by Jordan Clark, as Luton looked a different side to the opening stages, Tom Lockyer setting off on a powerful run forward, his cross narrowly missed by James Collins.

Hatters should have been level on 26 minutes when the home side lost the ball, allowing Clark to scamper down the wing.

His ball in the box caused panic in the hosts defence and from six yards out, Berry somehow side-footed over the open goal in a shocking miss.

With the game settling down into a highly watchable affair, Shea was needed just before the break, showing secure handling when Yan Dhanda's 20-yarder bounced just in front of him.

After the interval, Swans appeared to start getting to grips with Town's shape, dominating possession in the early stages, but couldn't quite grab that second goal to put the game to bed, the visitors seeing both Rea and Pearson booked for late challenges.

With an hour gone, Luton brought on Harry Cornick and Elliot Lee, the switch almost working instantly, Cornick heading Lockyer's deep cross over at the far post.

Just as Town appeared to be readying a grandstand finale, they were reduced to 10 men, as from Bree's corner, an unmarked Rea scuffed his volley, with Pearson going for an overhead attempt, connecting with defender Marc Guehi rather than the ball, belatedly shown a second yellow by referee Leigh Doughty.

Despite being a man down, Luton didn't allow it to affect them, and were inches away from a deserved leveller, Rea meeting Bree's corner once more, only to see Ayew retreat and clear his header off the line.

However, they couldn't create that last opening, even with Kazenga LuaLua on, as Swans had the points in the bag with a minute to go, Ayew bursting forward and blasting a low snorter behyond Shea.

Sub Jamal Lowe rifled over as City sensed a scarcely deserve second, which didn't materialise during stoppage time, leaving Luton glad to see the back of the Severn Bridge for another season.

Swans: Freddie Woodman, Marc Guehi (Joe Latibeaudiere 83), Korey Smith, Matt Grimes ©, Andre Ayew (Viktor Gyokeres 90), Liam Cullen (Jamal Lowe 71), Yan Dhanda (Kasey Palmer 71), Connor Roberts, Jake Bidwell, Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango.

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Ryan Manning, Jay Fulton, Wayne Routledge, Jordon Garrick.

Hatters: James Shea, James Bree, Dan Potts, Matty Pearson, Tom Lockyer, Glen Rea ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Elliot Lee 61), Luke Berry (Kazenga LuaLua 81), Jordan Clark, George Moncur (Harry Cornick 61), James Collins.

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Brendan Galloway, Sam Nombe, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Joe Morrell, Dion Pereira.

Booked: Roberts 45, Rea 52, Pearson 59.

Sent off: Pearson 69.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.