Wrexham 2 Luton Town 1

Last updated : 24 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

The door finally closed on Luton's remote chance of reaching the play-offs. As it happens, even a win would not have been enough to keep them in the race as other results went against them.

Hector Sam settled it with two well taken goals, raising his personal total to 10 in the league this term, the only Wrexham, player to reach double figures.

Wrexham manager Denis Smith said: "We deserved to win. It was a good performance. We had to take a constant bombardment at the back and the lads did well.

"After all the problems we've had I'm glad to start winning. We were going well this season and then the wheels came off with injuries and suspensions." Luton manager Mike Newell said: "I'm disappointed with the way our season has fizzled out. We've also been up against it with injuries and suspensions in the last month but I believed we could still sneak into the play-offs.

"We created plenty of chances without scoring and that is very disappointing." Steve Thomas hit the Luton woodwork after two minutes and Mike O'Leary turned on a Sol Davies throw in to hit Wrexham's cross bar as both sides went for an early break through.

Sam nipped into the box to meet a Thomas left wing cross after a corner and headed past a surprised goalkeeper Morten Hyldgaard for the opening goal.

The Trinidad international increased Wrexham's lead early in the second half, turning defender Keith Keane and firing a low shot past the keeper.

Celebrations for the goal were stifled within a minute when O'Leary evaded a challenge from Steve Roberts near the line and turned the ball back across the box to where Steve Howard unleashed a blistering shot that gave home keeper Michael Ingham no chance.

Sam thought he was about to win the match ball in the final minute as he headed over the keeper but he was denied his hat-trick by Sol Davies clearing off the line.