Mark McGuinness strike helps Luton bounce back from win over Hull

Luton bounced back from a 5-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough before the international break to take a coveted three points and keep a clean sheet to beat wasteful Hull 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

The visitors got off to a much better start as striker Abu Kamara’s speed was evident as he diverted his low cross past Reece Burke, forcing Teden Mengi to fire it over his crossbar.

Town then began to try to get into the game, Carlton Morris’ shot was deflected off a corner which was sent in by Shandon Baptiste, Mengi headed it straight at Croatian goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.

However, Hull maintained their lead and Xavier Simons fired home a wayward shot from outside the area.

Despite Hull being the better team, it was Luton who took the lead in the 33rd minute when another Baptiste corner caused problems, deflecting the head of a defender and landing at the feet of Mark McGuinness, who was able to turn and volley home , scoring his first goal for Hull. club.

City should have equalized in the 38th minute though, Levi Coyle’s stunning cross was met by a lurking Joao Pedro but he somehow steered his glancing header wide of the goal.

Luton made the better start to the game after the break, Tom Holmes’ excellent cross from the right being tamely headed in by Elijah Adebayo.

However, the Tigers again tried to keep the ball, with Coyle taking another long-range shot and sending it over the goal.

City should have restored parity in the 51st minute when Regan Slater’s wonderful cross was met by Pedro, who hit the post from eight yards for his second major miss of the day.

Two Liam Walsh corners created danger for the hosts, who were grateful to see Mengi cover again as he slid forward to prevent Kamara’s lively cross from reaching its intended target.

Kamara saw his path to goal blocked by a tenacious Holmes and Luton thought they had a second when McGuinness fired a stunning volley into the top corner but the flag had already been raised indicating the ball was out of play before he met it .

Kaminski was called into his first real challenge of the day in the 77th minute when he parried substitute Casey Palmer’s ferocious goal kick and England U21 international Mengi finished off the job.

The Belgian made a stunning stop later when Palmer’s curler was saved by McGuinness, the first Town player able to adjust his body to save the shot.

Luton’s Tahith Chong failed to make the most of the break before former Hatter Cody Drame shot wide and substitute Chris Bedia volleyed home from close range with almost his first touch to prevent the Tigers from stealing stoppage time.