AFC Telford 0 Luton Town 2 - Match report

In the whole of AFC Telford United's promotion-winning season they suffered only four defeats.

That it has taken just a month to match that tally this time around says much for the size of the gulf the Bucks are trying to breach.

The Blue Square Bet Premier was always going to represent a step up in quality and a visit from big guns Luton Town was about as tough as it gets. Yet Telford were very much victims of their own downfall, gifting sloppy goals early in both halves.

Luton were grateful for the gifts and never looked likely to squander the lead , even after seeing full-back Ed Asafu-Adjaye sent off midway through the second half for two bookings in less than 60 seconds.

Telford were slow out of the blocks and deservedly fell behind inside eight minutes, even if the goal had a horrible hint of offside about it. The Bucks defence were guilty of waiting for the whistle as Amari Morgan-Smith gratefully helped himself from close range to open the scoring.

It was a shock that seemed to sting Telford into life, though lone striker Chris Sharp – preferred to Andy Brown in the starting line-up – got no service at all.

Instead, it was Luton who always carried the greater promise of goals and had the chances to extend their lead.

Telford chief Andy Sinton abandoned his 4-5-1 formation at half-time, introducing Brown as a partner for Sharp in place of unfortunate midfielder Richard Davies.

But Brown's first contribution was to be involved in a horrible re-start with Carl Rodgers, the Bucks duo surrendering possession stra-ight away and allowing Luton to carve out a second goal with just 19 seconds on the clock.

Morgan-Smith was the gleeful recipient again.

The Bucks might have been depleted themselves, skipper Shane Killock escaping with a caution following a reckless challenge on Keith Keane that could have earned a straight red card.

Telford also started to get more adventurous aided by the introduction of the energetic Jon Adams.

A glancing header from Sharp at last forced Luton keeper Mark Tyler into a save on 75 minutes.

Sean Newton also had an effort scrambled off the line in a late flurry.

But Luton held on as Telford were given another stark glimpse of the standard they will have to reach to be successful at this level.

By Chris Hudson