Three goals in the last 21 minutes brought Luton a deserved away victory at Tranmere.

The home side were gifted the lead after 22 minutes when Luton skipper Kevin Nicholls needlessly handled a throw-in by Gareth Roberts.

Goalkeeper Cedric Berthelin saved the subsequent penalty from Stuart Barlow and the follow-up shot by Marvin Robinson but Gareth Roberts was on hand to net from close range.

It was not until the 69th minute that Luton drew level with Matthew Spring finding the target after a mis-hit cross by Steve Howard.

Luton went ahead on 79 minutes with Ahmet Brkovic firing home in style from a cross by Tony Thorpe.

And the visitors settled the game in the 88th minute when Howard netted at the second attempt after his first shot had been half-saved by John Achterberg.

Luton were much the better side and might easily have won by a greater margin as Tranmere rarely put the Luton keeper under pressure throughout the game.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Allen, Roberts, Gray, Edwards, Harrison, Taylor, Nicholson, Jones, Barlow, Robinson. Subs: Sharps, Howarth, Hume, Hay, Olsen.

Luton: Berthelin, Neilson, Spring, Robinson, Coyne, Nicholls, Boyce, Brkovic, Howard, Thorpe, Davis. Subs: Ovendale, Hillier, Kimble, Hughes, Fotiadis.

Referee: A Penn (W Midlands)