Early goal sees Luton lose to Bradford City

Luton Town slid to a second defeat in a row after an early goal saw Bradford City win 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

A fourth minute goal by Bobby Pointon helped the Bantams to victory in Bedfordshire, in a result that lifted Graham Alexander’s side to top spot in the early League One table.

A miserable day for the Hatters was compounded by an injury time red card for Harrison Ashby, with Luton now without a win in 3 outings and in the bottom half ahead of a lengthy hiatus from league action due to the upcoming international break.

Luton had arrived at home seeking a reaction after a controversial defeat by Stevenage in their last match, but things would get off to a bad start when they fell behind inside four minutes. Pointon met Kayden Jackson’s cross and duly headed past Luton’s recalled keeper James Shea.

Shea then had to make a flying save to deny a strike from range by the Bantams’ Callum Connolly as the away side got off to a fine start.

As the first half continued, Luton began to offer more, with Kasey Palmer having a crisp effort curl just wide before both Palmer and Emilio Lawrence saw strikes repelled by Bradford goalkeeper Jon McCracken.

Although Luton had chances for a first-half equaliser, Bradford spurned a chance to make it 2-0 when Ibou Touray sliced off target from a promising position.

While the Hatters had multiple chances before half-time, however, their attacking momentum was stifled after the break, with Bradford’s defence proving to be a very stubborn barricade.

The single best chance Luton made in the second half came right at the end, as with time running out, Gideon Kodua saw a strike denied by McCracken.

Further misery came Luton’s way when, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, former Bradford loanee Ashby was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for kicking a Bantams player.

The referee soon blew the whistle to confirm defeat, with Luton having won just 2 of their opening 7 league outings. Jack Wilshere’s side now have EFL Trophy matches against Ipswich’s junior side and Colchester before returning to league action on 10 October when they visit Wycombe.