Luton earn hard-fought win at Carlisle
Luton leapfrogged Carlisle in Sky Bet League Two with a 2-1 win at Brunton Park.
Goals from Joe Pigott, his third in two games, and Josh McQuoid gave Luton a two-goal advantage before Jack Stacey pulled one back for Carlisle.
After a cagey opening spell it was Luton who took command with Stephen O'Donnell forcing Mark Gillespie to tip over a wickedly dipping 30-yard volley.
The Hatters took a 23rd minute lead with a smart move initiated by Danny Green's flick which set Pelly Ruddock away on the right.
His ball into the area found Pigott who turned his man smartly eight yards out to slip the ball low past Gillespie.
Carlisle came into the game more towards the break without creating much in the way of clear-cut openings and it was Luton who almost doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when Ruddock was freed on the right of the area and hit his shot wide of Gillespie but also just past the far post.
Carlisle came out after half-time signalling their intent to get back on terms but it was Luton who made it 2-0 in the 51st minute when the home defence failed to clear and Pigott slipped the ball across the six-yard box for McQuoid to turn home.
The home side finally hit back in the 61st minute with a fine effort by Stacey, who cut across the area from left to right before lashing a shot past Elliot Justham at the near post.
Luton survived a couple of late scares before going on to claim their third straight win and their 12th away success of the campaign.
Source: PA
