Luton Town U18s edged through to the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 win over Barton Rovers in their fourth qualifying round tie at Kenilworth Road last night.
The visitors’ goalkeeper Aaron Foulton produced an inspired first half performance to deny Town and Rovers looked like they might cause an upset, by taking a 56th minute lead.
Town hit back immediately though as Arel Amu levelled on 59 minutes, before Jemale McKenzie-Lowe almost had Luton ahead, but hit the post.
Hatters eventually broke their visitors resistance when Charlie Smith scored on 86 minutes, while Amu hadded some late gloss with his second of the evening.
The victory means Town travel to League One Stevenage in the next round.
Hatters: Josh Carpenter, Brett Longden, Lee Hawkes, Ian Rees, Jerome Jibodu, Tinashe Chabata, Jordan Davis, Zane Banton, Jemale McKenzie-Lowe, Arel Amu, Charlie Smith.
Subs: Zak Stephens, Darll Ngwala, Luke Trotman, Ben Barnes, IsaacGalliford.
Rovers: Aaron Foulton, Luke Roddy, Shaquille Henderson, Max Taylor, Gabriel Sanni, Alex Hill, Ryan, King, James Titley, Munya Jaravaza, Mahmut Caglar, George Niven.
Subs: Chris O’Rourke, Rob Norman, Cody O’Neil, Billy Lannon, Brad Johnson.
Attendance: 226.
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