Richard Money praised the new mood of the Kenilworth Road faithful as his side racked up what he called a “comprehensive” 3-1 win over Kidderminster Harriers.
Richard Money
The victory, courtesy of a goal from Jake Howells and two from Kevin Gallen, earned Town their fourth win in a row and a season best third on the spin at home.
The Town manager has called for fans to get behind the club’s promotion push in recent weeks and he believes there is now a better atmosphere to help them achieve it.
"I would just like to say that the crowd were much, much more supportive tonight," he said."I know it helps when you got 2-0 up but I think there was a general mood in the stadium tonight that they perhaps suddenly realised that they have been a little harsh on the group of late.
"I thought there was a real bond and togetherness between the group and the crowd for the first time I've been here."
Also on the receiving end of a warm home welcome was striker Matthew Barnes-Homer who returned as a late substitute from compassionate leave of square up against his former team.
"It was a terrific reaction from the crowd," said Money. "Maybe some of them have some empathy with him at last.
"He might have only been on the pitch for a short time but I thought he looked a real player.
"Hopefully he can get back to what he's capable of. He'll be like a new signing for us."
Luton’s double over the Worcestershire club saw the team start with an unchanged side and ended with a sense that the team is really starting to tick.
Money said: "I'm very pleased. It's not easy to win three home games in a week.
"And I thought it was fairly comprehensive. There were one or two wobbles but I thought we looked dangerous all night.
"We attacked with gusto and real quality and in the second half it really was comprehensive.
"I think Jake's goal was terrific, and Kevin's second goal was outstanding. Maybe he should have done better with the first but it's gone in the corner.
"But he's deserved his two goals. He was excellent again."
The Hatters didn’t have it all their own way and Steve Burr’s Harriers certainly didn’t look like a side that had come off the back of a 5-1 cup FA Trophy humbling at the hands of Stevenage. Jamie Lawrie pulled one back three minutes after Gallen made it 2-0, and
Money agreed that they were a threat, saying: "I think they played with quality at times," he said. "They tried to pass the ball which was pleasing and they troubled us.
"Our back four couldn't get to grips with [Robbie] Matthews all evening - he plays that role well.
"But we stuck at it, and I think we looked like we always had enough to see the game through."
With leaders Stevenage beating Histon 1-0 Luton are still five points from the automatic promotion place having played a game more and with inferior goal difference. But Money is only interested in what his side can control and the immediate goal is to get to 70 points as quickly as possible, starting with a revenge mission on Saturday at Ebbsfleet United.
"We've challenged the players this morning for two big, strong performances this week," he said. “We have a great determination about getting to 70 points.
"After Saturday we'll have a breather and they deserve it. "One or two looked a bit leggy tonight but we're looking for one massive effort this weekend."
"We want to finish with as many points as we can and put as much distance as we can between us and teams below us."