The Hatters cruised to a fourth win in five league games to move a step closer to the play-offs with victory at AFC Wimbledon.

A first-half goal from Kasey Palmer had the Town in charge before Ali Al-Hamadi hit his first goal in Luton colours to double the lead just before the hour.

And a second victory on the spin away from Kenilworth Road was sealed 11 minutes from time when Jake Richards struck a third.

It was no more than the Hatters deserved as they moved to within three points off the top six after back-to-back wins over the Easter weekend.

With Jack Wilshere serving a one-match touchline suspension, Chris Powell’s side were in command from the moment Palmer scored his fourth goal in his last six matches after 12 minutes. Emilio Lawrence raced down the left to feed the midfielder and he took three close touches before firing emphatically into the top corner.

Five minutes after the goal the Town were forced into a change when Nahki Wells, who had spurned a great chance after four minutes when shooting wide, was taken off with Al-Hamadi introduced.

It was end-to-end stuff, however, with Isaiah Jones denied by home goalkeeper Nathan Bishop on 34 minutes before Omar Bugiel thumped an effort wide moments later for the Dons.

But in truth the Town were purring, playing some excellent football and they struck the woodwork twice before the interval. Firstly, Hakeem Odoffin’s back-post header hit the crossbar following a Liam Walsh corner before Lawrence saw a low shot hit the outside of the post after being found by a sumptuous pass from Jordan Clark.

Bugiel’s shot on the turn had Hatters hearts in mouths as it flashed wide just before the break but the Town would restrict the hosts much more after the restart.

You felt the Hatters needed a second to put the game to bed and, after a series of half-chances including a shot from Palmer that was well saved, they did make it 2-0 shortly before the hour when Al-Hamadi thundered a low finish past Bishop for his first Town goal.

Two goals to the good the Hatters were enjoying themselves and the chances continued to come.

And with 11 games left the game was safe when Palmer, Jordan Clark and Al-Hamadi combined to tee-up Richards to stroke home a left-foot shot that found its way into the bottom corner.

As time ticked down the Town almost found a fourth when substitute Cohen Bramall nodded a whisker wide before an Al-Hamadi shot was cleared off the line with three minutes left.

But it mattered not as the Hatters could celebrate another important victory and their first clean sheet in the league this calendar year – a first on the road since the beginning of November.

The Town take a break from the play-off race next week as attention turns to Wembley for the Vertu Trophy final against Stockport. We’ll see you then.

Come on Luton!

Town: Keeley, Jones, Lawrence (sub Bramall 81), Andersen, Odoffin, Naismith, Palmer (sub Saville 81), Clark (sub van den Berg 87), Walsh, Richards (sub Morris 87), Wells (sub Al-Hamadi 17).

Subs not used: Shea, Lonwijk.

Attendance: 8,668, including 930 happy Hatters celebrating a first visit to the new Plough Lane.