Cobblers' Wembley dreams dashed by Luton's second half fightback

Dreams of a first ever domestic cup final were boosted when Kyle McAdam, making just his second appearance for the club, headed Town in front on 17 minutes as Luton dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

But the Hatters ramped up the pressure in the second half and an incisive move ended with Nahki Wells levelling before Liam Walsh blasted home late on to set up a Wembley final against Stockport County.

Tyrese Fornah and Terry Taylor were the only players to keep their places from the team that drew with Peterborough as Kevin Nolan made nine changes in all, including a return in goal for Ross Fitzsimons, while Jack Vale was back from suspension to lead the line.

Luton controlled possession in the early stages but there was little to worry Fitzsimons and the away defence, other than a Jake Richards shot which ultimately drew a comfortable save.

Cobblers barely offered anything as an attacking threat in the first 17 minutes but their first serious foray forward led to an opener. Elliott List did well to win a free-kick midway inside Luton’s half and Taylor delivered an excellent cross that was headed home by an unmarked McAdam at the back post.

Almost immediately, Nahki Wells saw an effort correctly ruled out for offside, and then Jordan Clark squandered a good chance when skewing wide from 10 yards, but otherwise there was little in the way of a response by the home side.

Luton did build up some head of steam towards the end of the first half as Emilio Lawrence swerved a volley wide, and they came out after the break with a bit more intent, though Cobblers continued to defend well.

But the away side's resistance was broken nine minutes into the second half when they were opened up by a slick Luton move, Liam Walsh finding Clark who in turn squared for Wells to tap in.

Sam Hoskins, Dean Campbell and Cameron McGeehan all immediately came on in a triple change by Nolan, while Kasey Palmer was introduced by Luton and he immediately looked the best player on the pitch.

Nolan emptied his bench by calling for Jake Evans and Michael Forbes with 20 minutes to play, and that all meant a change of shape to 4-2-3-1 with Hoskins at right-back and Evans behind Vale.

But Luton remained in the ascendency and they somehow failed to go ahead when the ball bobbled around the six-yard box after Dyche failed to clear, with Forbes heading away from under his crossbar.

The tie was still level going into the final 10 minutes but that was to change just moments later. Dyche conceded a cheap corner, Luton took it short and Cobblers switched off, allowing Walsh time and space to fire home via a deflection off Campbell.

That left Town with very little time to force penalties, and it was Luton who looked more likely to add to their lead as they saw a couple of shots blocked before Palmer side-footed just wide.

Eight additional minutes provided Cobblers with enough time to create something but a speculative Hoskins volley, which flew high and wide, was all they could muster and it was Luton who secured a trip to Wembley.

Luton: Shea, Naismith ©, Anderson, Van Den Berg (Morris 55), Walsh, Odoffin (Lonwijk 85), Clark, Richards (Palmer 55), Lawrence, Kodua (Cole 81), Wells

Subs not used: Keeley, Saville, Johnson

Cobblers: Fitzsimons, Willis © (Forbes 69), Dyche, McCarthy (Evans 69), McAdam, Swyer (Campbell 55), Taylor, Fornah, Jacobs (Hoskins 55), List (McGeehan 55), Vale

Subs not used: Burge, Perkins

Referee: Tom Reeves

Attendance: 10,280

Cobblers fans: 1,311