Sheffield Wednesday 0 Luton Town 0

Last updated : 04 September 2004 By Footymad Previewer

High-flying Luton Town dropped their first points of the season as Chris Turner's side showed their competitive edge.

Honours were even in a game with few chances, the Hillsborough promotion favourites proving they will be a tough team to beat against a Luton side that had six straight wins behind them.

Wednesday were handed a half-chance in the tenth minute after a defensive blunder. The ball was hacked straight to the lurking John Paul McGovern. The former Livingston winger picked out defender Patrick Collins who pulled his header wide of the far post from six yards.

Luton escaped again ten minutes later. Owls skipper Chris Mardsen picked out Lee Peacock who showed a touch of class as he chested the ball down before powering in a 12-yard volley, the ball crashing against the right-hand post.

Hatters striker Steve Howard, who prompted a £500,000 offer from Wednesday boss Chris Turner in the summer and who has already scored five goals so far this season, picked out Ahmet Brkovic but his shot was snapped up by keeper David Lucas.

The Wednesday shot-stopper had to be alert in the 40th minute as defender Sol Davis tried his luck with a low 30-yard strike but Lucas snatched the ball on the line.

Luton were caught napping two minutes before the interval as McGovern threaded a ball through to Adam Proudlock but Marlon Beresford was quickly off his line to snatch the ball away from his feet.

Howard blundered minutes after the restart after being set up by skipper Kevin Nicholls, pulling his left-foot shot wide when he had time to pick his spot.

Marsden cleared a Chris Coyne header off the line as Wednesday failed to clear Steve Robinson's precise cross as Luton began to take control.

But they were caught on the break in the 58th minute. Chris Brunt's looping cross was met by striker Steve MacLean who dragged his header wide from close range.