A FIRST-HALF hat-trick from Luton Town's Ryan Charles sunk City at Kenilworth Road in the Totesport.com Combination - East Division.
The Hatters striker opened the scoring after just three minutes from the penalty spot. Under-16 goalkeeper Remi Matthews - on his competitive reserve team debut - was adjudged to have upended Jordan Patrick and Charles converted the spot-kick.
The second came on 26 minutes after good work from JJ O'Donnell on the flank and Charles struck with a volley.
City pulled a goal back just a minute later courtesy of midfielder Damon Lathrope. The 20-year-old who had a loan spell at Bishop's Stortford earlier in the season hammered a free-kick from the edge of the area past Aaron Fletcher in the Luton goal.
Matthews then saved from Patrick and Charles flashed an effort just wide but Luton made it three just the break.
In stoppage time at the end of the half, an O'Donnell corner was half-cleared but Charles turned and fired an effort through the crowded penalty area to complete his hat-trick.
City came close to reducing the arrears on several occasions. First Cody McDonald struck the base of the post after working himself an opening and then Tyree Clarke and Tom Adeyemi spurned decent opportunities.
However, Clarke atoned for his miss on 53 minutes bundling the ball home after McDonald's shot was blocked on the line by Taylor Nathaniel to make it 3-2 to the hosts.
Danny Kelly twice came close to earning City a share of the spoils late on but Fletcher tipped his header over the bar and from the resulting corner Kelly hooked an effort over the bar.
CITY: Matthews, Francomb, Gordon, Spillane, D.Kelly, Lathrope, Adeyemi, Ball (Brindley 80), McDonald, Clarke (Oakley 70), Dawkin. Subs: Osemwegie, S.Kelly, Dobbs.
Luton: Fletcher, Miley, Nathaniel, Poku, Caines, Wilkinson, Halford (Barker 60), Powell, Patrick (Watkins 76), Charles (Wood 60), O'Donnell. Subs not used: Harriott, Deeney.
