UNITED 1 (Kandol 44) LUTON 0

United: Ankergren, Richardson, Heath, Marques, Hughes, Prutton, Thompson (Clapham 73), Douglas, Carole, Kandol, Beckford. Subs: Martin, Howson, Parker, Ameobi.

Luton: Forde, Goodall, Perry, Coyne, Bell, Currie (Morgan 64), Edwards, Talbot (McVeigh 76), Keane, Spring, Furlong (Andrew 76). Subs: Hutchison, Robinson.

Referee: C Oliver.

Att: 26,856

United were going in search of a fourth league win in a row against Kevin Blackwell's Luton, and boss Dennis Wise made just one change from the team which won at Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, recalling Andrew Hughes in place of loan man Jamie Clapham.

And Wise's men started brightly, winning a couple of early corners. A penalty appeal was also waved away when Tresor Kandol went down under pressure from Luton defender Chris Coyne.

Luton goalkeeper David Forde was tested for the first time on 10 minutes when Kandol tried his luck with a low shot from distance.

United played the neater football during the opening 20 minutes, and other than a couple of early crosses, Luton's only real opportunity came when David Bell screwed a shot wide of the mark from outside of the box.

The best chance of the half came on 28 minutes when Kandol played a lovely ball to send Jermaine Beckford through on goal, but the striker's finish was wide of the mark.

United were rewarded for their efforts moments before half-time, though, and it was Kandol who got his third goal of the season.

Strike partner Beckford was again the provider and Kandol delivered a good finish to give United a deserved half-time lead.

There was a scare six minutes into the second half when Paul Furlong converted a cross from close range, but the former Birmingham marksman had strayed offside.

United's response was immediate and Kandol was again on the end of a good ball when he fired into the side-netting.

At the other end, Bell tried his luck from distance with a vicious, dipping effort, which flew inches over the bar.

But United continued to look assured and Forde spread himself well to deny Beckford before Luton scrambled away the corner.

Casper Ankergren also made a good save when he got down to a David Edwards shot, fired low through a ruck of players.

The game continued at a good pace and Alan Thompson sent a free-kick wide of the mark before Kandol headed a long throw just wide of the upright.

The visitors had a go in the closing stages, but United were never seriously troubled as they recorded a fourth straight league victory.

The win makes it United's best start to a league season since the 1984/85 season when Eddie Gray was manager.