Lamine Fanne’s late goal earned Jack Wilshere his first win in charge of Luton as they beat Northampton 1-0 at Sixfields in League One.
The Hatters dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances after Nahki Wells’ early miss when he skied over from close range.
Gideon Kodua’s shot deflected wide and Ross Fitzsimons kept out Nigel Lonwijk’s back-post header but a laboured and fragmented first half ended goalless.
Jordan Clark’s effort early in the second half was heading for the top corner before Jordan Thorniley got in the way, and then Kodua struck the crossbar from range.
Northampton posed more of a threat as the game went on and Josh Keeley smothered at the feet of Kamarai Swyer before Ethan Wheatley missed a big chance, side-footing straight at Keeley.
But it was Luton who made the breakthrough with 13 minutes to go when Fanne bundled home Isaiah Jones’ low cross.
Northampton piled on late pressure and they would have snatched a point had Hakeem Odoffin not raced back to clear Wheatley’s effort off the line.
