Wycombe Wanderers conceded three goals in the final 10 minutes as they lost 3-1 at home to Luton Town. 

Anis Mehmeti had given the hosts the lead with a penalty in the first-half, but after Josh Knight was sent-off just before the hour mark, the Hatters went into overdrive as a free-kick from George Moncur, a screamer from Kazenga LuaLua, and a header from Elijah Adebayo ended Wanderers’ three-match unbeaten run.

In a somewhat drab first-half, Wycombe had less of the ball but had the match’s first effort on goal, which came from Mehmeti.

A short corner taken by the captain of the day, Jason McCarthy, was received by the young Albanian, but he fired just over from 15-yards, whilst the Luton defence were still preparing for the set-piece.

Wycombe had taken the lead just before half-time

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Mehmeti, along with Fred Onyedinma and Uche Ikpeazu pulled Wanderers’ strings as they were hitting the Hatters on the break.

The patient build-up play eventually led to a penalty claim for the home side, as Ikpeazu was bundled over in the box by Luton’s Matty Pearson.

The bench, players and subs appealed, but referee Oliver Langford waved away the protests.

Langford has only officiated one Wanderers match this season – the 1-1 draw away at Derby on November 28.

Despite the penalty claim being waved away, Wycombe continued to press and on the half-hour mark, some brilliant play by Onyedinma and Mehmeti led Simon Sluga in the Luton goal being called into action for the first time, as the Nigerian’s effort from 15-yards was easily gathered by the Croatian.

Then, 10 minutes before the break, Luton gave Wycombe a glorious present to take the lead.

Ikpeazu, who had hustled and bustled the Luton defence, fired in a delicious low cross to Admiral Muskwe, who was clattered by the onrushing Kal Naismith.

A clear penalty and Langford had no choice but to point to the spot.

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And with Joe Jacobson out injured, it was a toss-up between Ikpeazu and Mehmeti to take the spot-kick.

The red card changed the game

It was the latter who won the war of words and he stepped up to slot it low and hard past Sluga, who got a touch.

It was his third goal of the season, in what was a good first-half display by Wycombe.

The second-half started with Luton being in Wycombe’s faces, as substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s near-post shot forced David Stockdale into a brilliant save from eight-yards.

Then, on 56 minutes, the game turned as Josh Knight was shown a straight red card.

The 23-year-old went for a 50-50 with Jordan Clark and despite winning the ball, the follow-through caught the Luton man flush on the ankle, and Knight was given his marching orders.

This led to Luton throwing everything at Gareth Ainsworth’s men in the second period, as James Collins and Elijah Adebayo fired over in an onslaught of Luton attacks.

But in the last 10 minutes, Luton scored three times to break Wycombe’s hearts.

Wycombe conceded three goals after 80 minutes

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The first came on 80 minutes when substitute George Moncur fired in a low free-kick from 25-yards.

The second came five minutes later when LuaLua smashed in a beautiful effort from 20-yards into the top corner to give the Hatters the lead, and to seal the win, Adebayo headed past Stockdale from close range to end Wycombe’s optimistic chances of survival.

The result means Luton are now unbeaten in 15 matches at Adams Park (eight wins and seven draws), whilst Wycombe remain bottom and are now nine points away from safety.