Saman Ghoddos scored the only goal of the game in the opening stages but Town will consider themselves unlucky not to have earned a result at the Brentford Community Stadium, who gave a good account of themselves against a side who have promotion ambitions this season.
Manager Nathan Jones made one change following victory against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, opting to start George Moncur ahead of Glen Rea.
The Bees – who were forced to postpone their last two league matches prior to this evening due to a COVID-19 outbreak – started well and had their eyes on an early opener.
Sergi Canos went closest for the home side, who took aim from distance and was denied by a superb one-handed save from Simon Sluga.
But the Croatian keeper was beaten in the 14th minute, as Ivan Toney put the ball on a plate for Saman Ghoddos, who headed home from six yards out.
Brentford were good value for the lead, but the Hatters saw a lot more of the ball after going behind, which led to a half-chance for Luke Berry – though his looping header from Moncur’s cross was easy to gather for David Raya.
Berry later produced a fantastic, last-ditch challenge to stop Toney after he found space in the box as Town went in behind at the break.
The Hatters were much improved in the second period but still found chances difficult to come by, as the gaffer made a triple substitution in the 65th minute.
Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jordan Clark and Kazenga LuaLua entered the fray and almost instantly, the latter crossed well for Harry Cornick, but his header was saved.
Fellow substitute Clark went close for the Hatters with 15 minutes remaining, latching onto James Bree’s ball forward but the number 18 missed the target.
Tunnicliffe then went close too moments later with an attempt that if successful, would have certainly been a nominee for goal of the season.
Kal Naismith crossed low for the midfielder, who produced a stunning backheel towards goal, but Raya was able to claim the looping effort.
Brentford should have scored a second in the dying embers as Mathias Jensen ran through on goal but his chipped effort went wide of the goal.
There was late drama as Tom Lockyer was shown a straight red card for an altercation with Toney, who was also given a second yellow card for his part in the tangle.
It left little time for another chance going forward as the Hatters, despite a hard fought performance, were on the wrong end of a one-nil scoreline.
Brentford: Raya; Dalsgaard (C), Pinnock, Sorensen, Henry; Janelt, Jensen, Ghoddos (Zamburek 83); Canos (Forss 74), Mbeumo (Fosu 74), Toney
Subs not used: Daniels, Goode, Dervisoglu, Roerslev, Stevens, Gilbert
Goals: Ghoddos (14)
Yellows: Mbeumo, Toney
Red: Toney
Luton: Sluga, Bree, Lockyer, Bradley (C), Potts (Naismith 76); Mpanzu, Berry (Tunnicliffe 65), Dewsbury-Hall (Hylton 89); Moncur (Clark 65), Cornick, Collins (LuaLua 65).
Subs not used: Shea, Pearson, Hylton, Rea, Nombe.
Yellows: Bradley
Red: Lockyer
Referee: Stephen Martin
