Pelly Ruddock bagged a brace as Luton took another step towards Sky Bet Championship football next season with a 3-0 win over 10-man Accrington.

The table-topping Hatters were awarded a penalty in the third minute after Stanley keeper Dimi Evtimov was adjudged to have brought down James Collins.

The striker stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Bulgarian Evtimov, who was shown a yellow card, saved low to his right.

1:51 Accrington goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov conceded two penalties and got sent off in the first 22 minutes of their match against Luton

However, Collins made no mistake when Luton were given another penalty in the 22nd minute.

Kazenga LuaLua fell in a tangle with Evtimov, and the stopper was shown a second yellow and given his marching orders, with Jonny Maxted coming on and midfielder Scott Brown sacrificed.

Maxted’s first job was to pick the ball out of the net as Collins blasted his effort home in the 24th minute to take his tally to 23 goals for the season.

2:53 Mick Harford says Luton’s 3-0 victory over Accrington Stanley was a huge step towards promotion to the Championship but maintains that he does not want the manager’s job full-time

Maxted had to be in superb form to keep out Jack Stacey and Elliot Lee, while LuaLua curled an effort wide, and Mark Hughes twice cleared off the line.

Luton made the points safe in the 68th minute when ex-Stanley player Matty Pearson headed down James Justin’s corner for Ruddock to turn and fire home.

And the midfielder completed his double in the 87th minute when he rifled the ball home from the edge of the area.

Luton sit five points clear of nearest challengers Barnsley and seven ahead of Sunderland in third.