THERE is never a good way to be knocked out of the FA Cup, but Bury boss David Flitcroft took plenty of positives from his side’s improved performance, if not the result.

It took a freak goal from Luton winger Luke Rooney early in the second half to finally separate the two sides after the second round tie was forced to a replay at Kenilworth Road.

Bury dominated the first match at the JD Stadium before a Rob Lainton mistake gifted Luton an opener that Danny Nardiello cancelled out in stoppage time.

And it took another goalkeeping mistake, this time from Shwan Jalal, to help the Hatters open the scoring on Tuesday night as the Shakers stopper misjudged the flight of Rooney’s cross.

But this time there was to be no late reprieve as Nathan Cameron headed a gilt-edged chance straight at the Luton keeper when he perhaps had more time to steady himself for a volley.

Flitcroft refused to criticise his players, despite extending their winless streak to seven matches, after seeing a vast improvement from Saturday’s league defeat at Oxford.

“It’s not a great goal we have conceded, but I saw plenty of effort,” he said.

“The Oxford first half did not resemble what I am about, but certainly tonight the passing was better - it was slicker and people were making better angles – and we had a lion’s share of the game, but just couldn’t turn it into a positive result.

“I am obviously gutted to have been knocked out of the cup, but the lads showed bravery in their performance, which pleased me.”

Flitcroft was forced into making a late change to his planned line-up, handing 24-year-old centre-back Keil O’Brien his debut in place of the injured Pablo Mills.

That meant switching Cameron to the left of a back three and he endured a torrid opening 20 minutes at the hands of winger Shaun Whalley, conceding a number of free kicks in dangerous positions, one on the very edge of the Bury box.

Andrew Drury threatened to punish his ill discipline with some testing set-pieces. Hatters centre-back Luke Wilkinson almost converted one with a header that flew just over, but Bury weathered the early storm to regain a foothold in the game.

Danny Mayor proved the most fruitful supply line, and after he blazed a half volley wide the flying winger set up Nicky Adams with a shooting opportunity that he drilled over from a tight angle.

The home side were reduced to counter attacks as the half wore on, with former Shakers striker Mark Cullen firing a low shot inches past the post following a 30th-minute raid.

Flitcroft will have been happy to see his side make it to half time on level terms, only for all their hard work to be undone just two minutes after the break.

Jalal misjudged Rooney’s inswinging cross from the left, perhaps expecting Cullen to get a touch, but the Luton poacher missed it and the Bury stopper was left with egg on his face.

It was harsh on the Shakers number one, who responded with a couple of superb saves to deny Scott Griffiths and Michael Harriman.

But after substitute Hallam Hope was denied a shooting chance by a late covering tackle following a perfectly weighted through ball from Ryan Lowe, Cameron missed the opportunity at the death to send the tie into extra time.

“I was quite happy to see Cam break the offside line and be in that position,” added Flitcroft, after the centre-back scored a late chance to help Bury beat Hemel Hempstead in the first round.

“I’m not too sure how much pace was on the ball.

“It was one of those that stood up so Nath had to try to generate the power.

“In hindsight you would want him to bring it down on his chest and volley it in – he’s got the athletic capabilities to do that, but that split decision he has decided to head it and with the lack of pace on the ball he has not been able to generate enough power to get it past their goalkeeper.”

LUTON: Tyler; Harriman, Franks, Wilkinson, Griffiths; Smith, Doyle, Drury (Howells 78); Whalley (Robinson 84), Cullen (Lafayette 78), Rooney.

Not used: Lacey, Justham, Miller, Stevenson.

BURY: Jalal 7; Cameron 5, O'Brien 7 (Rose 6 78), McNulty 6; Soares 5, Etuhu 6, Tutte 7 (Jones 6 70), Mayor 7; Adams 6; Lowe 6, Nardiello 6 (Hope 6 58).

Not used: Hussey, Sedgwick, White, Lainton.

Goals: Luton 1 (Rooney 47) Bury 0.

Yellow cards: Bury – Cameron 70.

Referee: Oliver Langford.

Attendance: 2,923 (182 visiting).

Star man: Keil O’Brien – The young defender waited a long time to make his debut for Bury after his summer move from Chorley, but he certainly did not look out of his depth at this level. In fact, he showed a real calm authority in possession and rarely looked hurried on the ball. O’Brien’s touch and close control was outstanding at times and while he played a few long balls to get himself out of trouble he never gifted the opposition any scoring chances. Drafted into the starting line-up on the ,morning of the game after Pablo Mills was ruled out through injury, he proved more than capable of answering the call again in the future.