Newport County AFC

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Luton 2-0 Newport County

Luton Town recorded their fourth successive Blue Square Bet Premier league win with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Newport County at Kenilworth Road.

Ryan Charles was shown a straight red card for a foul on Dan Gleeson before goals from Aaron O'Connor and Danny Crow on either side of half-time sealed the three points for third-placed Hatters.

The hosts began patiently but could have been a goal down after eight minutes when Elliott Buchanan smashed a left-foot shot just wide of the post having found space on the edge of the area.

But minutes later Town came close when Alex Lawless received the ball in midfield and jinking past several Exiles defenders drove his shot half-a-yard wide of the post.

The match turned on its head when Charles was sent off for a dangerous tackle after 33 minutes and Gary Brabin's men took advantage of the extra man to go ahead via O'Connor's headed finish.

County responded just before half-time when Sam Foley beat two Town men before curling a shot inches wide of Kevin Pilkington's goal.

Luton came out determined to double their lead and Crow came close after O'Connor and James Dance combined well but the striker could only skew his shot high and wide from 10 yards.

But the pressure finally paid dividends when Grey Taylor broke down the flank to slide a perfect low pass across the face of goal for Crow to tap in his eighth goal of the season.

Alex Lawless almost made it three for the hosts but his thunderous drive only found the side netting before O'Connor was denied a second by a fine block by Foley.

Luton bookings: none

Newport bookings: Warren, Charles (red), Sandell

Ref: Evans

Att: 6,108