A hat-trick from James Collins and Luke Berry’s second-half strike pushed the Hatters within one point of league leaders Portsmouth after The Posh were reduced to ten men halfway through the first half.

The Hatters took an early lead after Andrew Shinnie released flying wing-back Jack Stacey in behind down the right, who’s low cross was turned in by Collins from inside the six-yard box.

Ryan Tafazolli was shown a red card for a high challenge on Shinnie 25 minutes in and the Town took immediate advantage, with Collins grabbing his second of the game two minutes later in almost identical fashion to his opening goal.

Kazenga LuaLua helped Collins seal his hat-trick after finding the former Crawley man in space in the box, before he then set up Town’s fourth and final goal of the afternoon, picking out Berry on the edge of the box who turned brilliantly and slotted home into the bottom right corner.

The Hatters would go on to win their next five straight matches and remain unbeaten until April, eventually sealing the League One title on the final day with a 3-1 win over Oxford United at Kenilworth Road.