Football: Super Stevea top man

MIKE NEWELL watched with delight as his Luton side went back to the top with a comfortable win over the bottom side.

Goals from Chris Coyne, Steve Howard - his 18th of the season - and Kevin Nicholls secured the points for Town, in a performance worthy of league-leaders.

And a delighted Newell singled out hit-man Howard, praising the striker's all-round game.

Newell said: "I'm really pleased for Howie because I've been telling him for a long while that he's more than just a 20-goals-a season man.

"He relies too much on his goals and can get down when he doesn't score, but there's so much more to his game than just finding the net.

"We're a better side when we play through him or when he runs down the channels and brings other players in.

"It's a nice reward for him to score because it's hard when you're toiling away up there, but I don't really care who gets the goals as long as we keep winning."

Luton had drawn their last three league games, and crashed out of the FA Cup with a third-round home defeat to Brentford last weekend.

But Newell said the lack of wins had not been a major concern and he had not been unduly perturbed about being out of the cup.

He added: "I haven't been too worried about our league form. And the points against Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester over the Christmas period are now proving to be well earned.

"The cup loss last week I was unhappy about, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise if we get to where we want to in the league."

His team went close to opening the scoring after 19 minutes, but Coyne was unable to keep his header down after keeper Neil Cutler punched weakly at a cross.

But they deservedly took the lead 10 minutes later when Cutler again deflected a Luton shot into the path of Coyne, who this time made no mistake.

The second goal came courtesy of the prolific Howard. Ahmet Brkovic did some great work down the right before hitting a sweet cross into the striker, who side-footed home from close range.

Luton scored their third of the afternoon when Jim Goodwin conceded a penalty for a clear handball in the area, allowing Nicholls to slot home from the penalty spot.

Stockport manager Chris Turner had left skipper Danny Griffin out this match.

He explained later: "I'm here to make hard decisions and choose the best side I feel possible from the squad after what I see in training.

"I've got to try different formations with different players, but Luton were just too strong and powerful for us.

"We did have chances, but I thought it was a fairly comfortable win for them in the end."

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