Cornick goal the difference as Luton win at Bury

Harry Cornick pounced to seal Luton’s FA Cup third-round place as they triumphed 1-0 at Bury.

The League One high-fliers progressed largely thanks to Bury’s wastefulness in front of goal, particularly in the first half.

Bury’s Nicky Maynard should have struck early on when he side-footed straight at James Shea from eight yards.

At the other end, James Collins flicked a header inches wide as he rose to meet James Justin’s corner.

Bury skipper Neil Danns should have scored when he drove a shot wide from 15 yards with only goalkeeper Shea to beat.

The Hatters struck shortly before the break when Cornick bundled home Collins’ cross from close range.

It was almost 2-0 three minutes after the restart when Andrew Shinnie fired narrowly over the top.

In the 74th minute a gilt-edged opportunity went begging for Bury when substitute Dominic Telford blazed over after he latched on to Maynard’s drag-back.

Luton replied with Collins only being thwarted by a brilliant point-blank stop from goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Eight minutes from time Bury wing-back Callum McFadzean saw a tight-angled shot bounce back off the post.