With Stefan Payne sent off once more, 10-man Fleet hit a brick Wall at Kenilworth Road tonight as two goals from striker Alex Wall, late of Maidenhead United, gave the Hatters victory in this rescheduled fixtures – and penultimate game of the season for both sides.

Preston Edwards returned in goal, with Ryan Blake, Liam Bellamy, Liam Enver-Marum and Neil Barrett replacing Craig Stone, Lanre Azeez, Ashley Carew and David Azin. But Luton were in front on just 4 minutes, Wall heading home Jake Howells’ assist after Fleet were opened up down the left. Luton drove at the Fleet and Howells could have added a second after combining well with Dan Walker. It was then Walker’s chance to miss as he fizzed a shot just wide from Scott Rendell’s pass.

Fleet were restricted to long-range efforts, Liam Enver-Marum’s long-range drive went wide and two Bellamy set pieces easily dealt with. The visitors’ task took a sharp turn uphill five minutes before half-time when Payne’s lunging challenge on Howells was red-carded, his second such offence in two weeks, and one clearly not welcomed by the Luton players. Edwards then had to gather a Rendell shot before Fleet got sight of goal just before the whistle, Tom Phipp shooting from outside the box only to see Mark Tyler saving it as it headed towards the upright.

Nathan Elder had two quickfire chances as the second half began, heading a Phipp cross over from close range but Luton were soon back into their stride. Walker was still in the thick of things for the home side with two shots just off target, but both sides seemed content to conserve energy as the game fizzled out. That was until Wall struck again on 77 minutes, beating Fleet defenders to Jake Goodman’s high ball before neatly finishing past Edwards.

TEAM: Edwards, Howe, Blake, Luzardo, Lorraine (Saville 72), Barrett, Bellamy, Phipp, Enver-Marum, Payne, Elder (Ashikodi 86). Subs not used: Menz, Azin, Azeez
Att: 5,934