Luton Town arrived in Kempston with a young side for the start of the their defence of the trophy they won last March. For Rovers, Sam Johnson was rewarded with his first start since his return from New Zealand and there was a place on the bench for Evan Beldon from the Development Squad.

Rovers were forced into an early change as Josh Crawley felt the ill effects of a late challenge in the area after the ball had gone, replaced by Robbie Goodman, making his one hundred and seventy seventh and final appearance for Kempston. On the quarter hour mark the lively Aaron King fizzed a shot just wide of the post as Rovers showed they were up for this game under the stewardship of Tony Joyce, following the resignations of Jimmy Stoyles and Gary Flinn at the weekend. Moments later, a corner was whipped in to the head of Alfie Powell, which required an acrobatic tip over the bar from Harry Isted in the Luton goal. Late in the half, a deep Sam Johnson cross was met by Alex Collard, but he couldn’t direct the header on target. The deadlock was broken as the clock ticked into injury time, intricate play on the edge of the box between Kyal McNulty, Harlem Sambu and Nathan Tshikuna saw the latter lay the ball into King, who took time to compose himself before slotting the ball home for his first goal in Rovers’ colours. Luton were level deep into stoppage time, when Jake Peck surprised everyone by going for goal from a long free kick, beating Tom Wyant at his near post.

After the break, Luton began to show more attacking threat. Peck forcing a good early save from Wyant, before the tricky Josh Neufville called Wyant into action again. Robbie Goodman could’ve headed Rovers back in front ten minutes into the half, but headed wide after an appeal for handball. King drew an excellent save from Isted as Kempston looked to reassert themselves. Shortly after the hour, the visitors took the lead, a ball played across goal found sub Coree Wilson, who tapped in from a handful of yards. It was the youngster’s first touch, having only been on the field a matter of moments. The game became stretched, but neither side could find the clinical break through as time wore on. Rovers came close when sub Evan Beldon had an effort comfortably dealt with from the edge of the box, Aaron King headed wide from a Sam Johnson corner and from a Nathan Tshikuna cross Shane Bush couldn’t beat Isted. In stoppage time, Neufville broke clear and surged down the right channel, squaring the ball to Connor Tomlinson to make it three one to the visitors. There was one final chance for Kempston, but from a Johnson free kick, Shane Bush’s toe ended effort after Isted had dropped the ball, was blocked and cleared without causing too much alarm to Luton.

Rovers can now re-group and look forward to this weekend’s league game away at Didcot Town