Luton manager Mick Harford has called for his players to be "heroes" for the club after they began their uphill struggle in League One with a win over Gillingham.

Sam Parkin netted early on and the Hatters withstood a barrage of late pressure to hold on for the three points.

It left Luton on minus 27 points after their 30-point deduction on the eve of the season, while Gillingham have only a point to show for their first two games in League Two.

He said: "These players can be heroes for this football club. This was a massive game for the football club and the players have proved to me and the supporters that they can come away and scrap it out.

"That will bode well for the future. The work-rate, the effort and the commitment from our lads showed their desire and passion to do well for this football club.

"It was there for all to see and the defending was fantastic. That alone was a reason we deserved to win."