Tranmere Rovers4-2Luton Town

John Aldridge scored a remarkable ten-minute hat-trick as Tranmere Rovers returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over Luton Town at Prenton Park.

The veteran striker struck three times between the 52nd and 61st minutes, with his second goal taking him beyond 100 for Tranmere. Chris Malkin added a fourth late on before John Hartson scored a consolation for the visitors.

Rovers entered the match looking for a response following their disappointing defeat at Grimsby, but Luton proved competitive during the opening half. The visitors enjoyed their share of possession and twice forced Danny Coyne into important saves.

Tranmere also created opportunities, with John Morrissey particularly influential, but neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.

The match changed completely after the restart. Morrissey created the opening for Aldridge in the 52nd minute and the striker applied the finish to give Rovers the lead.

Tranmere's advantage lasted only two minutes. Scott Oakes dispossessed John McGreal and supplied Ceri Hughes, who beat Coyne to bring Luton level.

Aldridge responded almost immediately. In the 58th minute he latched onto Liam O'Brien's through ball and fired home from 15 yards, restoring the lead and registering his 100th goal for the club.

Three minutes later, the hat-trick was complete. Pat Nevin was fouled inside the penalty area and Aldridge converted the resulting spot-kick to make it 3-1.

The three goals had arrived in a devastating ten-minute spell, transforming a closely fought contest into one controlled by John King's side. Aldridge's finishing was all the more impressive given that he ended the evening with three stitches in a wound near his eye.

Luton goalkeeper Juergen Sommer had no answer to the speed and precision of the second-half burst. Aldridge remained a constant threat, while Morrissey, O'Brien and Nevin supplied the creativity behind him.

Malkin extended the advantage in the 83rd minute, scoring the goal his energetic performance deserved. He had further opportunities and might easily have joined Aldridge in claiming a hat-trick of his own.

Hartson pulled one back for Luton during the closing stages, but his goal came too late to threaten Tranmere's victory.

There were further encouraging signs for Rovers in defence, where McGreal and Tony Thomas both completed the full match after recent injuries. Their return added to a positive evening in front of 5,480 spectators.

The night belonged to Aldridge, however. His hat-trick, landmark 100th Tranmere goal and consistently sharp performance led King to place him among the finest strikers in the game.

More importantly, the victory provided the response Rovers needed after their setback at Grimsby and strengthened their claim to a place among the promotion contenders.