Q.P.R. suffered their first defeat in 2006 and Luton their first victory in the New Year when the two sides clashed at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
Rangers? mini unbeaten run of four games was ended after another disappointing away day display as the Hatters moved above their rivals in the league table as a result of the three point haul.
Goals in either half from Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard gave Luton their first victory over the Hoops since 1985 and in truth they didn?t have to work too hard for it in a poor match.
Rangers had started the better of the two with the main share of possession despite Luton striking a post as early as the fourth minute. Kevin Foley?s effort was deflected off Matthew Rose to strike the left-hand post of Simon Royce?s goal. But that shock spurred the Hoops on and they took the game to their rivals.
Gareth Ainsworth blazed over from close range and Richard Langley had a decent free-kick stopped by Luton keeper Marlon Beresford after the trickery of Lee Cook resulted in a foul.
But after a tame Luton attack, Rangers conceded a corner from which a crucial individual error gave the home side an early advantage.
The corner whipped in by Kevin Nicholls wasn?t properly cleared by the Rangers defence and as the ball was chipped back into the area, Hatters defender Heikkinen found himself in acres of space to flick the ball passed Royce.
Rangers? players appealed for offside but it was Ainsworth who had stayed on his post and played the Finnish international onside to score in front of the away support.
Despite the goal Rangers continued to plough forward with the impressive Cook causing problems to the Hatters right-back Carlos Edwards. Despite the lions share of possession the R?s were finding it difficult to find the final pass to unlock the physical Luton defence.
Luton?s main threats were coming from set-pieces were Rangers seemed extremely uneasy and disorganised in their defensive duties. Enoch Showunmi was proving a liability in open play for the Hatters but from dead-ball situations he was causing all sorts of problems and it was his glancing header that nearly doubled the score midway through the first half.
Marcus Bignot was the unlikely striker of Rangers? next effort when he sent a fizzing drive straight at Beresford but Luton were denied their second goal right on half-time by the referee.
Nicholls sent an ?up and under? towards Royce who was challenged by the onrushing Steve Howard with the ball being bundled into the net. Referee Richard Beeby awarded Rangers a free-kick despite Howard wheeling off to celebrate after believing the goal had been given.
With plenty to think about at half-time, Ian Holloway sent on Marc Nygaard to replace youngster Shabazz Baidoo in attack.
The injury prone forward was noticeably lacking match fitness and sharpness but was causing the home defence a different problem in the more direct Rangers approach.
Paul Furlong then went close with two attempts in quick succession. His first was a near post header after some good work from Ainsworth down the right which went over. His second again followed some excellent build up play by Ainsworth and Bignot down the right which Ainsworth was able to pull back to Furlong. After a scrap for the ball on the six yard box, Furlong?s sliced shot was pushed wide by Beresford and cleared by the Hatters defence.
Luton were denied a goal for the second time with 20 minutes to play. Warren Feeney, a second half substitute, had finished from close range after Edwards and Howard had been denied by the in-form Royce.
Feeney was beginning to threaten the Rangers attack with his pace and nearly doubled the lead minutes later. His glanced header flashed just wide of Royce?s right-hand post.
Nygaard was then gifted a great chance to equalise late on. Cook combined well with Matthew Rose whose cross found the big Danish forward?s head only to see his header lack power and direction. Beresford produced a comfortable save and Rangers? hopes of a point started to fade.
Howard claimed the winner on 84 minutes for Luton with a poacher?s finish from just outside the six-yard box following fine build up play from Edwards.
Player Ratings
Simon ROYCE 6
Was let down by his team-mate for the first goal and was a little lucky with the disallowed goal when challenged by Howard. No big saves to make in a fairly quiet game for the in-form keeper.
Marcus BIGNOT 6
Rangers most consistent out-field performer this season showed some good skill coming forward but was outfoxed in defence.
Matthew ROSE 6
Like Bignot he looked a threat coming forward supporting Cook down the left but defensively a little inconsistent.
Danny S**TTU 6
Kept Howard reasonably quiet but was not as influential as usual and earnt himself a booking for a miss-timed challenge.
Georges SANTOS 5
After some good recent performances Georges was a little lame with his distribution and made some poor unforced errors.
Gareth AINSWORTH 6
Wild Thing took the blame for the opening goal which seemed to effect his early performance. Blazed over when well placed but never gave up and gave his best as always.
Lee COOK 7
Quite clearly Rangers? best player and caused problems down his wing all game. Starting to find his best form again after a few average performances.
Richard LANGLEY 6
Continues to improve but let himself down with poor distribution. Showed nice signs of fight to win the ball back in midfield and came close with a swinging free-kick.
Steve LOMAS 6
Followed up last weekend?s commanding performance with a quiet game. Rarely involved in anything notable but encouraged the team with his experience.
Shabazz BAIDOO 6
Caused problems with his pace and was unfortunately replaced at half-time.
Paul FURLONG 5
Wasted a few good chances when well placed and showed experience in pivotal areas but could/ should have done better.
Marc NYGAARD 6
Caused Luton?s defence a few headaches but like Furlong wasted a great opportunity. The promise is there if he can stay fit.
Stefan MOORE
Not on the field long enough to make an impression.
And Praised Marc Nygaard For His Contribution:
Not on the field long enough to make an impression.
Manager Rating
Ian Holloway tried to change the game a little too early by replacing the promising Shabazz Baidoo with the unfit Marc Nygaard. His changes towards the end of the game were quite strange but he was let down by some wayward finishing and poor defending. 6
Opponent Rating
Mike Newell’s side were well-organised and physical but posed few threats. They took their goals at crucial times and in the end deserved to win. 7
Ollie Felt The Victory Flattered The Hosts:
Talking after the match which saw the Hatters leapfrog Rangers in the table, Holloway said:
I thought 2-0 flattered them. I felt we were pushing in the second half, but the second goal killed us. They were very physical but got the job done.?
He Also Bemoaned His Side’s Finishing:
?You have to take your chances at this level- we didn?t and they did and that was the difference.
We had six shots in the first half and didn?t score any.?
We went on to pick out some poor defending for the first goal which handed Luton the lead. He said:
We?re conceding far too many goals. We were punished for sloppy defending. Gaz (Ainsworth) didn?t push up for the first goal and you can?t afford to make errors like that. He?s held his hands up and it?s over now.?
And Praised Marc Nygaard For His Contribution:
?I really wanted to start Marc, but his recent injury problems meant we felt it would be better for him to come off the bench.
He came on and caused them all sorts of problems- more than justifying his place in the squad after injury.?