Luton Town 2 - 1 Port Vale

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Saturday Sep 22 2007 03:00

Paul Furlong rolled back the years as he continued his remarkable start to the season against Port Vale.

The 38-year-old, who was released by QPR in the summer, displayed clinical finishing in front of goal to sweep home a David Bell corner to claim his fifth of the season on the half-hour mark.

And that was added to in spectacular style when the impressive Bell unleashed a left footed drive from 25 yards that was worthy of winning any game.

Port Vale managed a late consolation through Luke Rodgers, but the defeat heaped more pressure on manager Martin Foyle, who now sees his side stuck in the relegation battle.

Vale, who were without a win at Kenilworth Road in 109 years, endured a miserable afternoon and were up against it for most of the game after Ashley Westwood was sent-off with a straight red card late in the first half.

Luton almost made the perfect start to proceedings when Bell floated over a corner on two minutes which was met by Alan Goodall's downward header that zipped off the surface and crashed against the crossbar.

Vale had failed to show any dominance in front of goal, but with their first real attack of the game they almost broke the deadlock.David McGoldrick was given time on the ball on 26 minutes to turn inside his marker and drill a low shot that flashed wide of David Forde's goal.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Luton were soon in front.

Bell was the provider as his corner was swept home by Furlong at the near post, leaving Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon with no chance.

It got worse for Vale just three minutes before the half-time whistle when they were reduced to ten men.

Not many inside the ground could work out what Westwood was sent off for, but the referee had no hesitations in showing the defender a straight red card - which could only have been for dissent.

After dominating the second half, Luton wrapped up the win in spectacular style when Bell popped up with a thunderbolt shot with just four minutes remaining.

Vale did find a consolation when Rodgers' header from six yards found a way through, but it was far too late from the visitors as Luton held on for all three points.

  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 90
    Goal!! Port Vale have scored with Luke Rodgers putting it in the back of the net.
  • 88
    Paul Furlong is being taken off, Calvin Andrew has come on in his place.
  • 86
    Goal!! Luton have scored with David Bell putting it in the back of the net.
  • 77
    David McGoldrick is being taken off, Shane Tudor has come on in his place.
  • 74
    Marc Richards goes into the referees book for dissent.
  • 70
    Luton are replacing David Edwards with Paul McVeigh.
  • 65
    Dean Morgan is being taken off, Darren Currie has come on in his place.
  • 64
    Calum Willock is replaced by Marc Richards.
  • 60
    Paul Furlong goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 52
    Paul Harsley is being taken off, Justin Miller has come on in his place.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.
  • 45
    The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
  • 43
    It's red. He's off. Ashley Westwood has been sent off.
  • 30
    Goal!! Luton have scored with Paul Furlong putting it in the back of the net.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Luton Town
Shots on target 9
Shots off target 11
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 14
Offsides 5
Corners 12

Port Vale
Shots on target 3
Shots off target 2
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 6
Offsides 5
Corners 1

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