Luton Town 0 Colchester United 1

Craig Slater drilled home a superb winner on 83 minutes to secure a battling away victory for Colchester United at Luton Town this afternoon.

Slater fired home through a crowded penalty area, from 12 yards out, following a corner.

It therefore extended the U’s impressive recent run to five games unbeaten, with four wins and a draw.

The U’s deserved this latest away success.

Owen Garvan went close with a stinging volley in the first half, and Denny Johnstone could have scored when scuffing a shot straight at keeper Christian Walton.

For Luton, Danny Hylton should have broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Sweeper Frankie Kent, back-pedalling, failed to deal with a bouncing ball and suddenly Hylton was through on goal, only to scuff his shot straight at Walker.

But the Hatters can have few complaints.

Squads

LUTON: Walton, Mullins, Rea, Cuthbert, Justin, Gilliead (sub Mpanzu, 81), Lee (sub Cook, 87), O’Donnell, McGeehan, Marriott (sub Vassell, 66), Hylton. Unused subs: Gooch, Smith, Gray, Senior.

COLCHESTER: Walker, Eastman, Kent, Elokobi, Brindley (sub Vincent-Young, 90), Lapslie, Garvan, Dickenson, Slater (sub Wright, 87), Guthrie, Johnstone (sub Porter, 81). Unused subs: Barnes, Wynter, Doyley, Fosu.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)

Attendance: 9,164 (490 away fans)