Luton Town

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Kenilworth Road

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Luton Town 4-2 Hayes

Luton Town kept their play-off dreams alive as they beat Hayes and Yeading 4-2 at Kenilworth Road on Monday, getting new manager Paul Buckle's tenure off to a flying start.

Town had only one win in nine games before that, and as is often the case, a new manager injected the side with renewed drive and vigour. The win left them in seventh place, only three points behind Kidderminster in the fifth and final play-off spot. Hayes, meanwhile, are in the relegation zone, four points from safety with only three games to go.

The match was a glut of goals and excitement as Hayes drew level once and looked to be mounting a comeback in the second half, but the Hatters made sure of the three points late on.

The first goal came in the 13th minute when Stuart Fleetwood netted the first of his two goals. He dodged past three defenders and fired home into Steve Arnold's net.

Hayes drew level in the 21st minute when Daniel Wishart popped the ball home from close range, coming on the end of Aiden O'Brien's looping header into the box.

Luton took the lead just before the break, when Fleetwood secured his brace in the 44th minute. He came on the end of Andre Gray's cross to volley the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and over the line. It was his 13th goal of the season, and the Hatters were the happier side going into the break.

The home side continued to attack in the second half and extended their lead in the 53rd minute. Keith Keane got on the score sheet after tapping Jake Howell's pass in from five yards out.

United got a sniff of a recovery three minutes later when Luton defender Janos Kovacs bundled the ball into his own net to make it 3-2, but Luton were not deterred and Gray struck the decisive blow in the 71st minute.

Luton bookings: Fleetwood, Gray.

Hayes bookings: Cadmore.

Att: 6,003.

Ref: Bull.