Luton Town are out of the FA Cup after a penalty shootout defeat at League Two Fleetwood Town.
After a 2-2 draw at Highbury, the match would be decided with penalties, and saves by Fleetwood keeper David Harrington in the shootout to deny Luton duo Jacob Brown and Liam Walsh proved the deciding factor as Fleetwood took the spot in Friday’s Third Round draw.
The Hatters had fought back during regular time, with Jerry Yates and Teden Mengi both scoring equalisers to strikes from the home side’s Ethan Ennis, who had made it 1-0 and 2-1.
But the Hatters’ defeat in the shootout puts them out of the FA Cup at the Second Round stage. It is the first time since the 2015/16 season that Luton have failed to reach the Third Round.
Having made it through an eventful First Round tie against National League side Forest Green Rovers, Luton’s next FA Cup assignment saw them make the trip to face League Two outfit Fleetwood Town in Lancashire.
The first half would pass by without any goals. Luton’s best chance came when Lasse Nordas rounded Harrington but got outfoxed by Fleetwood defenders who were able to cover and block his shot, while Fleetwood spurned an opportunity when Ryan Graydon fired a snapshot straight at James Shea.
The opening goal of the game came for Fleetwood in the 65th minute. A cross into the box from the Cod Army’s right flank found Ennis, and a first-time strike from the Manchester United loanee ended up going through the legs of Luton keeper Shea into the back of the net.
As heavy rain began to pelt the ground, it was Luton who would find an equaliser 8 minutes later. Gideon Kodua picked up the ball on the right flank for the visitors, and his low cross found Yates at the back post, who duly tapped the ball into the back of the net.
Luton nearly completed the comeback when defender Mads Andersen would see a header just clear the top of the bar.
But Fleetwood would come back and they retook the lead in the 83rd minute. Matty Virtue’s pass picked out Ennis, who cut inside before bending a nice strike into the top corner to put the home side back in front.
It looked as though Fleetwood might get the job done, but in second half stoppage time, Luton came back to snatch another equaliser. Reuell Walters’ cross was only half-cleared to defender Mengi, who placed a fine strike into the bottom corner for a 93rd minute equaliser.
The best chance either side conjured up in extra-time saw Harrington thwart the Hatters’ Shayden Morris, but with no more goals scored in extra-time, it meant penalties would determine the victor.
In front of the section containing Luton fans, the visitors scored their first two penalties, only for Brown and then Walsh to be denied by Harrington with Luton’s third and fourth kicks.
Fleetwood, who scored all their penalties, duly confirmed victory when Harrison Neal scored their fourth spot-kick, in the process confirming the cup upset and ending Luton’s interest in the FA Cup for another season.
Jack Wilshere’s side now turn their attentions to league action, with a midweek trip to East London to play Leyton Orient as their next assignment.