Second half double sees Luton maintain lead by beating Rochdale
League One leaders Luton Town maintained their advantage at the top of the table by beating Rochdale 2-0 at Kenilworth Road.
Second half goals from Danny Hylton and James Collins did the trick for Mick Harford’s side, against a struggling Rochdale side that finished with 10 men after Ethan Hamilton was dismissed for picking up two yellows.
The result extends Luton’s unbeaten run in League One to 22 consecutive games, and sees them maintain a 5 lead on second place Barnsley and a 7 point lead on 3rd placed Sunderland, who both collected wins.
It was the home side who made the majority of the first half pressure, with Collins seeing a shot deflected wide, Hylton firing over and Collins having a shot saved well by Andy Lonergan in the best of the first half pressure.
Lonergan was then on hand to keep out Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu within seconds of the re-start, before Joe Bunney’s desperate block kept out Jack Stacey.
Luton would eventually take the lead just before the hour, as Hylton turned the ball over the line after an initial effort struck the Rochdale bar.
The home side could even have had a quick second, as Lonergan made a good stop to thwart Collins.
Zach Clough and Henderson were both denied for Rochdale, but the home side continued to make the better running, with Elliot Lee denied by the Rochdale keeper.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the final minutes when Hamilton, who was booked within the opening minute, saw a second yellow and consequent red for fouling Andrew Shinnie.
Collins duly wrapped things up in time added on, with the striker’s 20th goal of the season coming as he converted Kazenga LuaLua’s cross.