Town caught cold by early second half double as they lose out to Cardiff

Luton paid the price for a poor start to the second half as they failed to build on Saturday's impressive win at Birmingham City, going down to a 2-0 defeat to a resurgent Cardiff City this evening.

At the break, the hosts, who had been the better side in the opening 45 minutes, looked like they could go on and inflict a first defeat of Mick McCarthy's reign as Bluebirds boss, or at the very least, claim a point.

However, they conceded twice within the opening 11 minutes to goals from Harry Wilson and Will Vaulks to make it three home games without a win now since the turn of the year and a second successive defeat under the lights at Kenilworth Road, after such a proud prior unbeaten record.

Town boss Nathan Jones made two changes from the win at St Andrew's, Danny Hylton and Kal Naismith replacing Jordan Clark and Harry Cornick, the latter on for his full Town league debut.

An opening 12 minutes which saw the ball barely touch the floor was then almost brought to life when Cardiff played a short corner routine, working the ball to Vaulks on the edge of the box.

His first time effort was destined for the bottom corner, only for Simon Sluga to stick out a strong left hand, with Sean Morrison flagged offside as he attempted to put the rebound in.

Luton then went close with their first real passing move of the night on 15 minutes, Tom Lockyer bringing the ball out and crossing deliciously to the far post where James Collins, almost worrying about colliding with the post, stooped to head wide of the target.

Town were dealt a blow on the half hour as Lockyer, who had injured his foot when making a last-ditch challenge to prevent a City break, couldn't continue, Martin Cranie on in his place.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's curling 20-yard free kick required tipping over the bar by Dillon Phillips moments later, while he then found Hylton inside the area, the striker's touch getting away from him.

Luton continued to play the better football when they got hold of possession, Cardiff intent on going from back to front at every opportunity, Collins carrying on from where he left off at the weekend with another fine display upfront.

Just before half time, the hosts might have taken the lead, another dangerous free kick by Dewsbury-Hall skimming off the head of Hylton from a few yards out.

Jones altered his side at the break, taking off Matty Pearson for Luke Berry, as Cranie dropped to right back, with Rea moving into the centre of defence.

Kieffer Moore whistled an effort past the post after finally breaking clear of the Town back-line, before Cardiff had the lead out of nothing with 53 on the clock.

A long ball wasn't cleared properly and on-loan Liverpool midfielder Wilson didn't any second invitation to transfer possession on to his left foot and hammer a wonderful effort beyond Sluga and into the corner from outside the box.

Wilson tried his luck again moments later, this time Sluga doing impressively to turn his volley over the bar, but the resulting corner saw Cardiff double their lead.

Hatters once again didn't get the required distance on their efforts to get the ball out of their area, Vaulks left in acres of space to beat Sluga via a slight deflection.

Jones quickly made a double switch, Tom Ince and Cornick on for Hylton and Naismith, but from being in the box seats, Town now had an unlikely mountain to climb, as Cardiff, under the seasoned campaigner McCarthy, looked very unlikely to hand the hosts a way back into the contest.

They did come under threat though, Cornick's cross only inches above the leaping Collins, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu hammered narrowly wide from the loose ball.

The midfielder should have made it 2-1 on 68 minutes, teed up inside the area by Collins, he sliced disappointingly off target.

Collins was then replaced by Elijah Adebayo for his Town debut with 16 minutes remaining, who after giving a free kick away with his first touch, flicked on a long throw for Bradley to see his tame effort stopped by Phillips.

Late on, Cornick almost pulled one back with seven remaining, as a quickfire break saw him move the ball on to his right and pull the trigger, a Cardiff defender just doing enough to deflect behind.

Perry Ng looked for a flattering third, Sluga comfortably gathering his left-footed effort, while Ince couldn't engineer a stoppage time consolation, firing straight at Phillips.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Matty Pearson (Luke Berry 46), Tom Lockyer (Martin Cranie 30), Sonny Bradley ©, Dan Potts, Kal Naismith (Harry Cornick 64), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Danny Hylton (Tom Ince 64) , James Collins (Elijah Adebayo 74).

Subs not used: James Shea, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jordan Clark, Sam Nombe.

Bluebirds: Dillon Phillips, Joe Bennett, Sean Morrison ©, Aden Flint, Will Vaulks, Kieffer Moore (Max Watters 74), Josh Murphy (Joel Bagan 76), Curtis Nelson, Marlon Peck, Harry Wilson (Leandro Bacuna 76), Perry Ng.

Subs not used: Alex Smithies, Tom San, Mark Harris, Ciaron Brown, Isaak Davies, Rubin Colwill.

Bookings: Vaulks 65.

Referee: Tim Robinson.