The Town missed out on a winning return to the Championship as they were beaten 4-1 by Burnley at the Kenilworth Road

It was a positive start for the Town but six minutes in Josh Brownhill put the visitors one up after being played through by left-back Lucas Pires, slotting the ball past Thomas Kaminski.

The Hatters responded well with half-chances from Calton Morris and Tahith Chong before having a penalty shout waved away after Alfie Doughty got the best of Maxime Esteve.

The Clarets doubled their lead in the 37th minute, this time Wilson Odobert racing onto the end of a Connor Roberts through ball to put the ball under the keeper’s legs.

The Town almost got off to the perfect start in the second half. Ruell Walters and Chiedozie Ogbene linked up well down the right before Elijah Adebayo’s header from the resulting Walters cross rattled against the bar.

Kaminski then showed why he won save of the season last year pulling off a wonderful save after a Roberts strike from the centre of the box to stop the visitors going three up.

The Hatters were rewarded for their fast start to the second 45, Chong getting onto the end of a Doughty header to pull one back.

But Burnley would add a third goal with 20 minutes to play, Dara O’Shea heading the ball past Kaminski following a corner on the left-hand side.

Joe Johnson would make way for Andros Townsend, but moments later the visitors would yet again score this time Vitinho finishing well after a fast break away from Lyle Foster.

A couple of well-timed blocks from Teden Mengi denied the Clarets another before full-time as the Town were beaten in their opening game of the Sky Bet Championship season.

Town: Kaminski; Ogbene, Doughty, Walters, Mengi, Johnson (sub Townsend 80); Nelson, Baptiste (sub Mpanzu 87), Chong; Morris, Adebayo.

Subs not used: Shea, Bell, Woodrow, Taylor, Holmes, Francis-Clarke, Chigozie.

Report by James Logan.