Luton have kept 16 clean sheets this season
Luton continued their promotion push in the Championship with a win over Bristol City at Kenilworth Road.
Carlton Morris' 16th goal of the season secured the Hatters a third consecutive victory and left them fourth, seven points off second-placed Sheffield United.
Morris struck after just five minutes when Cody Drameh's brilliantly drilled cross from the right was perfect for the striker to head home.
Morris' strike partner Elijah Adebayo was denied a second for his side in the 11th minute when being found by Gabe Osho's terrific ball over the top, taking a touch and beating Max O'Leary, but denied by a goal-line clearance from Mark Sykes.
Morris put another header over from Drameh's dangerous right-wing delivery as the hosts sensed more goals, but could not find one despite their almost complete dominance.
Luton almost made it 2-0 on the half hour when Morris turned provider, hooking the ball over the top for Adebayo, who was manhandled by City defender Cameron Pring.
Managing to stay on his feet, he failed to beat O'Leary, with the keeper also denying Luke Berry's follow-up.
Luton still pressed though, a terrible backpass seeing Marvelous Nakamba's deflected attempt flying over from 25 yards as the Hatters just could not get what would have been a deserved second goal.
City improved after the break, Andreas Weimann forcing Ethan Horvath into his first save of the evening just three minutes in, with ex-Hatter Harry Cornick sliding another effort wide.
Berry's free-kick hit the wall for Luton, but the hosts almost made it 2-0 after 59 minutes when Osho's excellent lofted cross was met by Morris, but his close-range header was somehow kept out by O'Leary.
City looked like they might threaten a leveller, Cornick spinning to shoot straight at Horvath in the 70th minute from inside the box.
Alex Scott tried his luck from a well positioned free-kick 22 yards from goal, only to fire straight at the grateful Horvath who collected comfortably underneath his bar.
Luton then might have had a pressure relieving second as Drameh picked out Morris in the area only for his twisting header to bounce narrowly wide of the target.
The Robins threw men forward at the end to try and force an undeserved leveller, but they were unable to find a way through as Town kept their 16th clean sheet of the season.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsLuton
Formation 3-4-1-2
34Horvath32Osho4Lockyer29Bell2Drameh13Nakamba8Berry45Doughty22Campbell11Adebayo9Morris
- 34Horvath32Osho4Lockyer29BellBooked at 79minsSubstituted forBurkeat 87'minutes2Drameh13Nakamba8BerryBooked at 62mins45Doughty22Campbell11AdebayoBooked at 80minsSubstituted forWoodrowat 84'minutes9MorrisBooked at 34mins
Substitutes
- 1Shea10Woodrow12Lansbury16Burke20Watson23Onyedinma25Taylor
Bristol City
Formation 4-2-3-1
12O'Leary17Sykes26Vyner16Pring3Dasilva7Scott10King9Cornick14Weimann11Mehmeti21Wells
- 12O'Leary17SykesBooked at 73mins26VynerBooked at 51mins16PringBooked at 64mins3Dasilva7Scott10King9Cornick14Weimann11MehmetiSubstituted forTaylor-Clarkeat 63'minutes21WellsSubstituted forBellat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Wilson19Tanner20Bell23Haikin35Taylor-Clarke36Francois
Referee:John BusbyAttendance:9,899Match StatsHome TeamLutonAway TeamBristol CityPossessionHome51%Away49%ShotsHome15Away6Shots on TargetHome6Away3CornersHome7Away2FoulsHome15Away12Live Text Post update
Match ends, Luton Town 1, Bristol City 0.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Luton Town 1, Bristol City 0.
90'+4'Post update
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Jay Dasilva.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Luke Berry (Luton Town).
90'+3'Post update
Andy King (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Alfie Doughty.
89'Post update
Foul by Allan Campbell (Luton Town).
89'Post update
Alex Scott (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Reece Burke replaces Amari'i Bell because of an injury.
86'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
86'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Amari'i Bell (Luton Town).
85'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
84'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Luke Berry (Luton Town).
84'Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Cauley Woodrow replaces Elijah Adebayo.
83'Post update
Foul by Luke Berry (Luton Town).
83'Post update
Cameron Pring (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81'Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Berry (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Cody Drameh with a cross.
80'Post update
Attempt saved. Alex Scott (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
80'Booking
Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
79'Booking
Amari'i Bell (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Source: bbc.com