Match Report: Luton Town 0-1 Preston North End - Brad Potts stunner gives North End first Championship win

A wonder goal from Brad Potts gave North End all three points, but it was their battling display in the southern heat that made it all possible.

Robbie Brady’s excellent cross found Potts who volleyed the ball into the net but the graft from all involved is what will be remembered in their first win at Kenilworth Road since 1999.

Ryan Lowe made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Hull City in PNE's last league game, with Ali McCann and Ryan Ledson coming in.

Emil Riis and Daniel Johnson were the two players to drop out, the pair contributing towards over 30 goals last term.

Instead it was McCann and skipper Alan Browne tasked with making things happen, backing up Troy Parrott who scored his first goal for the club in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town.

The home side came out of the blocks quickly and had control of the ball and territory but they could not turn it into a clear cut chance from open play.

Carlton Morris had their first good chance of the game 12 minutes in, getting on the end of Luke Freeman's cross to have a free header in the middle of the box but only aim it at Freddie Woodman.

Then came the opening goal and what a way to do it from Potts. Robbie Brady's cross just inside from the left, around 35 yards out, was whipped around the back of the Luton defence and Potts threw himself at the ball.

He executed what can only be described as a flying karate kick volley at chest height which then flew past Ethan Horvath and into the back of the net.

The Hatters were not for taking it lying down and did respond to North End's goal but the drinks break after 25 minutes paused that assault.

The home side could not find fluidity in their attack and PNE's dependable back line stood firm, with Allan Campbell stabbing the ball at Woodman from two yards out from a corner their best chance of the half.

Preston had time to have another go, Brady trying his luck from the edge of the box on his right foot just two minutes from half time but that was saved low down by Horvath.

They had the first chance of the second half too, Jordan Storey stepping forward out of the defence to have an effort from range but the centre half could not keep the shot down eight minutes after the restart.

On the hour mark Potts broke forward from right wing back and stood an excellent ball up to the far post and found Andrew Hughes forward from centre back who had time to pick his spot, heading low, but a Luton body got in the way.

Chances came for the home side, either side of a second drinks break, Morris with the first on 72 minutes as he headed wide before Elijah Adebayo saw his header blocked two minutes later, firing a snapshot wide as the ball fell to his feet.

Hughes was booked 10 minutes from time for a foul on the edge of the box, James Bree's well-struck effort was headed over by Ben Whiteman.

Luton had a big chance to equalise after 83 minutes, Cauley Woodrow off the bench to run in behind for a ball clipped over the top that he looked to lift over Woodman on the run but he cleared the cross bar.

Three minutes before the end Adebayo had another chance, he got on the outside of the PNE defence but fired over the bar from a tight angle.

It was a very tense ending to the game as Luton pushed for an equaliser but North End held firm, their rearguard sensational in the sunshine and came away with their first three points of the season.

PNE Starting XI: Woodman, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, Potts, Whiteman, Ledson, Brady, Browne, McCann, Parrott (Bauer, 92').PNE Subs: Cornell, Cunningham, Slater, Johnson, Woodburn, Riis.

Luton Starting XI: Horvath, Potts (Thorpe, 62'), Bradley, Burke, Bree, Campbell (Jerome, 91'), Clark, Bell, Freeman (Woodrow, 62'), Morris, Adebayo.

Luton subs not used: Macey, Lockyer, Watson, Osho.