An under-strength Ebbsfleet side went down 3-0 at play-off chasers Luton in Blue Square Bet Premier on Tuesday night.

Fleet were without suspended skipper Paul Lorraine – following his red card at the weekend -as well as the injured Tom Phipp, Nathaniel Pinney and keeper Lance Cronin.

Boss Liam Daish (pictured) was denied permission to sign an emergency goalkeeper so Tom McNeil made his full debut in front of the biggest crowd Fleet have faced this season.

Things got worse for Fleet when they had Ram Marwa stretchered off after only 14 minutes. He was replaced by youngster Lanre Azeez.

Luton had a goal ruled out for offside after 17 minutes but had to wait until deep into first-half injury-time to take the lead.

Alex Lawless’ pass to Andre Gray fell kindly for Stuart Fleetwood and he powered the ball past McNeil.

The home side added a second straight after the restart when Gray’s shot was kept out by McNeil but Fleetwood grabbed his second.

The third Luton goal didn’t arrive until he stroke of full-time when substitute Craig McAllister capitalised on a mix-up between Ross Smith and McNeil to score.