A second half goal from skipper Johnny Mullins ensured Luton moved six points clear at the top of League Two as they saw off a plucky Morecambe side 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.
Town were dealt an early blow when top scorer Danny Hylton limped off after eight minutes, with Andrew Shinnie then denied by keeper Barry Roche from 20 yards.
Luke Berry hammered over the top and Glen Rea swivelled to fire off target in a first half of few chances.
Morecambe's only real opportunity saw Aaron McGowan bring a diving save out of Marek Stech.
In the second period, Stech saved brilliantly from Adam McGurk's deflected attempt and then denied the attacker again from Luke Conlan's cross.
Stech also parried Michael Rose's blast, with Aaron Wildig putting a header inches wide, but Town took the lead after 64 minutes, Mullins heading home Olly Lee's pinpoint free kick.
Mullins almost had a second, flicking just wide, but Morecambe threatened a leveller late on, Kevin Ellison off target from the edge of the box and Steven Old heading off target from a corner.
English League Two Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lincoln City | 32 | +24 | 62 |
2 | Bury | 33 | +24 | 60 |
3 | Mansfield Town | 33 | +22 | 58 |
4 | Milton Keynes Dons | 33 | +19 | 56 |
5 | Forest Green Rovers | 33 | +18 | 54 |
6 | Colchester United | 33 | +17 | 53 |
7 | Carlisle United | 33 | +11 | 52 |
8 | Exeter City | 32 | +11 | 51 |
9 | Tranmere Rovers | 33 | +6 | 49 |
10 | Stevenage | 33 | -4 | 48 |
11 | Oldham Athletic | 33 | +10 | 46 |
12 | Grimsby Town | 33 | -2 | 46 |
13 | Crewe Alexandra | 33 | -3 | 46 |
14 | Swindon Town | 32 | -3 | 46 |
15 | Newport County | 32 | -7 | 46 |
16 | Northampton Town | 33 | -4 | 39 |
17 | Crawley Town | 33 | -10 | 38 |
18 | Cheltenham Town | 33 | -11 | 38 |
19 | Cambridge United | 33 | -23 | 36 |
20 | Morecambe | 33 | -16 | 35 |
21 | Port Vale | 33 | -13 | 33 |
22 | Yeovil Town | 33 | -14 | 30 |
23 | Macclesfield Town | 33 | -21 | 29 |
24 | Notts County | 33 | -31 | 28 |
League Two News
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Man City's trip to Newport will be a culture shock for the Premier League champions, but it will be everything to the League Two minnows.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes appointed Oldham manager
Paul Scholes is the fourth member of Manchester United's Class of 92 to try his hand at full time management.
Man United legend Paul Scholes set for first managerial role at Oldham - sources
Paul Scholes is set to become the fourth member of Manchester United's class of 92 to try his hand at full-time management.
Oldham want Paul Scholes as manager by weekend - sources
Oldham Athletic are attempting to appoint former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes as manager before the weekend, sources have told ESPN FC.
Paul Scholes in talks with Oldham Athletic over manager's role - sources
Paul Scholes is in talks with Oldham over the manager's position at the League Two club, sources have told ESPN, but no agreement is yet in place.
Sol Campbell appointed manager of Macclesfield Town on 18-month deal
Sol Campbell joins with Macclesfield sitting bottom of the table having picked up 10 points from 19 games.