Craig Slater struck a late winner to seal Colchester United an excellent 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Luton Town this afternoon.

Slater drilled a sweet low shot past Luton keeper Christian Walton to secure the U's a fine victory at Kenilworth Road and extend their unbeaten run to five matches in League Two.

Colchester started brightly and in the seventh minute, Tom Lapslie’s goalbound shot from the edge of the box struck a Luton defender but despite claims for handball the chance went begging.

Then two minutes later, Owen Garvan flicked the ball up 25 yards out and sent a volley just wide of the far post, as the U’s looked to make an early breakthrough.

There was a flashpoint midway through the first half when U’s defender George Elokobi went into the book for taking his protests too far following a challenge on Kent by Luton striker Danny Hylton, who was also cautioned for his part in the incident.

The Hatters received a let-off just before the half hour mark when Luton keeper Christian Walton’s attempted clearance struck U’s striker Denny Johnstone in the area but fortunately for the relieved Luton keeper, the ball rebounded into his arms.

And soon after that, a great chance for the U’s went begging when Johnstone scuffed a shot straight at Walton from seven yards after Garvan had helped Brennan Dickenson’s throw into the area into his path.

But Luton had their moments and U’s keeper Sam Walker made his first meaningful save of the game when he leapt low to gather Cameron McGeehan’s curled 25-shot.

Garvan’s swerving shot from long range flew straight into the arms of Walton just before the break, as the teams went in level at half-time.

Both sides were guilty of squandering opportunities in the opening stages of the second half.

Luton striker Danny Hylton scuffed his shot straight at Walker when he should have scored after Frankie Kent’s indecision had almost allowed him an unexpected Christmas present in front of goal.

But at the other end, Garvan inexplicably missed his kick in front of goal after being picked out by Craig Slater in the area, following a swift Colchester break.

Just after the hour mark, former Colchester loanee Jack Marriott found space on the edge of the area before seeing a deflected shot fly over for a corner.

And with 20 minutes remaining, Johnny Mullins wasted a gilt-edged opportunity for Luton when he blasted wastefully over from five yards from Alex Gilliead’s corner.

Colchester sent Porter on with nine minutes remaining in place of Johnstone, in a bid to find a late winner.

And it arrived with seven minutes remaining through Slater’s precise strike following a corner, as Colchester's fine run of form continued.