Luton Town sent FA Trophy holders Wrexham crashing out of the competition with a comprehensive victory at Kenilworth Road.
The scoreline might not indicate a one-sided affair, but Luton dominated such large spells of the game and could have had the match beyond Wrexham’s reach by half time but only had Mark Cullen's opener to show for it.
And any hopes the 89-strong Wrexham contingent in the 1,617 crowd had of seeing a comeback were diminished in the 65th minute when Jay Harris was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Strangely, Wrexham seemed to improve once they were down to ten men and showed the fight and will to salvage something from the match.
Luton Town 2-0 Wrexham
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Second Round Proper
Saturday 14 November
Kenilworth Road
Winners receive £6000
But they could not find the goal they needed and it was Cullen and co. who ended up celebrating.
The former Hull City striker struck his sixth goal of the season in the 15th minute when he headed in from a corner by ex-Wrexham ace Shaun Whalley.
The rest of the first half reflected the difference in the league standings between the two sides, with Luton second in the Conference table and Wrexham battling away in 14th spot.
And despite Wrexham’s late rally they were undone by another Whalley corner with 15 minutes to go as the ball was turned into his own net by Neil Ashton.
It was a scrappy goal that just about summed up Wrexham’s day and there will be no Trophy route back to Wembley for them this season.
Luton, meanwhile, can celebrate in the knowledge their season goes from strength to strength.
