New signing Andre Boucaud made an impressive debut in Luton Town colours as his side put three goals past Tamworth for the second time this season.
It was a confident performance that warmed the home faithful after an enforced two-week break from league action due to the Arctic conditions.
Stuart Fleetwood and Janos Kovacs put the Hatters in front before an own goal nine minutes from time via the boot of Francino Francis made sure of the points.
It extended Town’s unbeaten run in the Blue Square Bet Premier to 13 games, but did not bring them any closer to the division’s top of Wrexham and Fleetwood Town who won 4-1 and 1-0 respectively.
But manager Gary Brabin was pleased with the day’s work, saying: “I’m delighted the way we played the game. We closed down the ball well, frustrated them, pushed them to where we wanted them and limited their threat on us.”
The boss also sung the praises of the debutant, saying: “He’s a good player. He gives us a different dimension, and it looked like he enjoyed it out there.”
The Hatters made a confident start and piled the pressure on to the visitors, and were duly rewarded with a goal in the 14th minute from Fleetwood.
A long-range strike from Curtis Osano was deflected into the path of the inform striker, who was able to skip around keeper Jonathon Hedge and tuck the ball neatly into the back of the net for his tenth of the season.
The visitors were keen for an equaliser and had a couple of chances to get one.
Jean-Paul Marna launched a powerful volley from the edge of the area that was diverted away from goal with a flying header from Greg Taylor, and minutes later a solid attempt from loanee Chez Isaac went wide.
The visitors almost levelled again in the dying minutes of the first half, Kyle Patterson burst into the box and unleashed a dangerous shot that was diverted away from a loitering Charlie Reece by Kevin Pilkington.
The Hatters started the second half brightly, with chances to increase their lead further. Kovas met a Jean Paul Kissock corner with a header into the path of Fleetwood and the goalscorer flicked the ball on to O’Connor who couldn’t quite get the ball over the line.
Kovacs did in the 63rd minute, netting his fourth of the campaign, directing a downwards header past the goalkeeper, making it 2-0.
Boucaud showed he was also able to do a job in defence, blocking a decent attempt from Nick McKoy, who had made a darting run to create an opening.
An own goal made it 3-0 to the Hatters when the foot of Francis deflected the ball into the back of the net after Jake Howells flashed his attempt goalwards.
Kovacs tried to claim the goal but admitted afterwards he didn’t touch it.
Still, his celebrations saw Brabin quip that the defender was: “Dancing round like a big girl”.
He added: “I haven’t seen the goal yet, but I’m sure he’ll get some stick from the lads for that celebration and claiming that goal.”
In the last minutes Adam Watkins rattled the post but the score remained 3-0.
Luton– Mark Tyler, Greg Taylor, George Pilkington, Alex Lawless, Stuart Fleetwood, Aaron O’Connor (Robbie Willmott), Jake Howells, Andre Boucaud, Curtis Osano (Adam Watkins), John Paul Kissock (Craig McAllister), Janos Kovacs
Unused subs – Danny Crow, Kevin Pilkington
Tamworth – Jonathon Hedge, Richard Tait, Francino Francis, Jean-Paul Marna (Iyesden Christie), Charlie Reece (Keiron St Aimee) , Liam McDonald (Danny Thomas), Kyle Patterson, Paul Green, Chez Isaac, Scott Barrow, Nick McKoy –
Unused subs - Duane Courtney, Connor Gudger