Luton rediscovered their early season form to register their first win in five matches with goals from Steve Howard, Warren Feeney and Steve Robinson brushing aside Brighton.

The Hatters ended a run of three successive defeats by securing a draw at Derby on Boxing Day and got their play-off hopes back on track against disappointing Brighton, who had won their last two matches.

First-half goals from Howard and Feeney set Mike Newell's side on their way, while Robinson made the game safe with a third just after the hour mark.

Luton could have won by a greater margin had they converted more of their many chances, while Brighton's only effort on goal came in the 70th minute via Sebastien Carole.

Luton raced out of the blocks and, prompted by returning midfielder Kevin Nicholls, carved out two early chances with Steve Robinson forcing Michel Kuipers to hold his stinging drive and Steve Howard heading over the crossbar.

It was no surprise when Luton made the breakthrough. Nicholls did well to keep the ball in play on the left and his cross was converted by Howard, who bundled home his eighth goal of the season - his first in seven matches.

Feeney, preferred to Rowan Vine up front for the Hatters, flashed a header wide soon after as Mike Newell's side chased a second goal.

Brighton found it difficult to break Luton's stranglehold and boss Mark McGhee was left to rue five changes to the side that beat QPR on Boxing Day.

The Seagulls' new strike pairing of Federico Turienzo and Mark McCammon saw precious little of the ball, while the home fans' only complaint was that Luton had not cashed in on their dominance by creating further chances.

Argentinian Turienzo was replaced by Colin Kazim-Richards shortly before the interval, while Kuipers denied Carlos Edwards.

But Luton went two up a minute before half-time when Feeney had time and space in the penalty area to rifle home a low shot past Kuipers.

The Hatters resumed on the offensive after the restart with Kuipers alert to both Ahmet Brkovic's drive following Nicholls' free-kick and a right-foot shot from Edwards.

Brighton made a double substitution in the 58th minute with Leon Knight and Alexandre Frutos replacing Kerry Mayo and McCammon respectively.

But Feeney kept Kuipers on his toes with a close-range header and Robinson fired home a third goal into the top corner from just inside the area in the 62nd minute.

Sebastien Carole, back in the starting line-up in place of substitute Frutos, flashed Brighton's first shot on goal wide with 20 minutes left, while Luton substitutes Vine and Enoch Showunmi replaced Howard and Feeney up front.

Robinson saw his goalbound shot from the edge of the area blocked by Guy Butters and Showunmi dragged his effort wide when well-placed 12 yards from goal.

Brighton enjoyed a rare foray forward in the final minute, but Frutos' shot from just inside the area was blocked by Markus Heikkinen.

Teams

Luton Beresford, Foley, Underwood, Heikkinen, Coyne, Brkovic (Morgan 70), Robinson, Nicholls, Edwards, Howard (Vine 76), Feeney (Showunmi 76).

Subs Not Used: Brill, Barnett.

Booked: Underwood.

Goals: Howard 17, Feeney 44, Robinson 62.

Brighton Kuipers, El-Abd, Mayo (Knight 58), McShane, Butters, Hart, Hammond, Carpenter, Carole, McCammon (Frutos 58), Turienzo (Kazim-Richards 43).

Subs Not Used: Reid, Chaigneau.

Booked: El-Abd, Kazim-Richards.

Att: 9,429

Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).