Steve Howard fired a hat-trick as Luton won their 12th successive game to go top of the Third Division on goal difference.

The Tigers were outplayed after a promising start when Richard Sneekes' free-kick was brilliantly blocked by Town keeper Carl Emberson and a Nicky Mohan header was cleared off the line by Emerson Boyce.

Howard headed his 21st goal of the season midway through the half and Dean Crowe scored the second just before the break.

Luton cruised through the second half and Howard added two more goals.

Hull failed to impress in Jan Molby's first game in charge and have won only one of their last 10 games.

Hull: Musselwhite, Edwards, Petty, Mohan, Van Blerk, Williams, Greaves, Sneekes, Lightbourne, Alexander, Bradshaw. Subs: Glennon, Whitmore, Norris, Philpott, Holt.

Luton: Emberson, Boyce, Perrett, Coyne, Taylor, Holmes, Spring, Nicholls, Valois, Howard, Crowe. Subs: Ovendale, Johnson, Forbes, Kabba, Hughes.

Referee: P Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).