First-half headers from Kal Naismith and Kasey Palmer helped the Hatters to their first away victory since November with an important win at Wycombe Wanderers.
A run of 11 games without a win on the road came to an end thanks to an excellent rearguard action – even if the hosts pulled a goal back deep into the stoppage time.
But it was no more than Jack Wilshre’s side deserved as the two goals extended the Hatters’ remarkable unbeaten record at Adams Park which now stretches to nine wins and seven draws.
Importantly the three points also helped gain ground on the teams chasing the play-offs and the Town also had the opportunity to welcome back striker Elijah Adebayo, who came on as late substitute for his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury in April last year.
The outcome may have been a lot different had the Chairboys not taken a couple of early chances with Luke Harris twice guilty of spurning decent opportunities in the opening five minutes.
Former Town winger Fred Onyedinma was celebrating his 200th appearance for the hosts and he almost conjured a goal in the 17th minute only for Jamie Mullins to fail to get a clean strike away from close range.
Slowly but surely the Hatters grew into the game and on 21 minutes they were ahead. Emilio Lawrence won a corner on the left that was whipped in by Liam Walsh and captain Naismith was on hand to nod the ball home unchallenged from four yards.
Ahead, the Town’s tails were up and, after Gideon Kodua and Nahki Wells had both gone close with well-hit drives inside the box, Palmer made it 2-0. This time a George Saville corner from the right found the midfielder at the near post and the Jamaica international nodded past Will Norris in the home goal.
With last weekend’s defeat from a winning position in the back of their minds, the Hatters defence took its turn to shine in the second half. If it wasn’t Naismith, it was Nigel Lonwijk and if it wasn’t him it would be Hakeem Odoffin as the Town headed and blocked every time the hosts attacked.
Clear-cut chances for both sides were few and far between, however, as the Hatters cleared everything the Chairboys threw at them in the closing stages. Naismith and Odoffin combined to hack clear the danger with three minutes left as the Town continued to comfortably hold the hosts at bay.
Then, with a minute left, Adebayo was given his moment, making his first return since the draw with Leeds almost a year ago as he came on to rapturous applause in the place of Palmer.
But just when it seemed the Hatters would also toast a first away clean sheet since November, Wycombe pulled a goal back with a consolation from substitute Junior Quitirna’s fine first-time shot that gave Keeley no chance.
It was a shame the Town could not celebrate what would have been a thoroughly deserved shut-out, but the Hatters did not have long to wait before the full-whistle to rejoice that winning feeling on the road with the 1,500 supporters behind the goal.
Attention now turns to two big games coming up at Kenilworth Road next week, starting on Tuesday against Exeter.
See you then.
UTT.
Town: Keeley, Naismith, Odoffin, Lonwijk, Lawrence, Saville Walsh, Clark, Palmer (sub Adebayo 89), Kodua (sub Johnson 78), Wells (sub Cole 76).
Subs not used: Shea, van den Berg, Morris, Richards.
Attendance: 6,721, including 1,482 backing the Town
