A FREAK Luke Rooney goal two minutes after the break was enough to send Bury crashing out of the FA Cup after a lacklustre second round replay at Kenilworth Road.

Unfortunate Shakers stopper Shwan Jalal was deceived by the flight of the Luton midfielder’s cross, which looped straight in at the back post.

And while the summer signing from Bournemouth did his best to redeem himself with a number of late saves, Bury were unable to carve open the home side to force the game into extra time.

A new-look Shakers back three that included debutant Keil O’Brien had weathered an early storm before settling into the game.

Nathan Cameron looked lost on the left as he was continually singled out by flying winger Shaun Whalley.

But it was Rooney who created the first chance, catching Tom Soares in possession before sending in a cross that Cameron did well to cut out.

Danny Mayor proved to be Bury’s most fruitful supply line, and he had the first shot for the visitors, connecting well with a half-volley that fizzed just wide on 10 minutes..

But Luton continued to have the upper hand as Cameron was forced to make a brave covering header to deny Whalley a chance at the back post.

Cameron was walking a tightrope and was lucky to escape a booking after hauling Whalley down on the edge of the box.

Hatters midfielder Andy Drury tested the Bury backline with his set-piece deliveries and centre-back Luke Wilkinson almost benefited after heading a free-kick over on 20 minutes.

But, slowly, David Flitcroft’s side got back into it and Nicky Adams should have probably crossed as he blazed a shot over from a tight angle.

Luton’s threat slowly fizzled out to the counter-attack and Mark Cullen, who scored for the hosts in the first tie, had their best chance of the half following a 30th-minute break, rifling a low shot just wide.

But all Bury’s hard work was undone two minutes into the second half.

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

The Shakers misery could have been complete moments later when Drury teed up Whalley but his shot from the right edge of the box floated inches wide of the far post.

Cullen, who collided with the post as he strained to head Whalley’s cross-shot, got off the deck to then fire a deflected shot wide of the far post. But the visitors were quite literally given hope when substitute Hallam Hope ran on to a great through ball from strike partner Ryan Lowe before a desperate covering tackle robbed him of the chance to shoot.

Jalal made up for his error for the goal with a superb one-hannded save to deny Scott Griffiths before turning behind a shot from Michael Harriman.

But Bury were unable to find a route back into the tie as Luton set up a third round trip to Cambridge United.

BURY (3-4-1-2)

SHWAN JALAL 6

KEIL O’BRIEN 7

JIM McNULTY 6

NATHAN CAMERON 5

TOM SOARES 5

ANDREW TUTTE 7

KELVIN ETUHU 6

DANNY MAYOR 7

NICKY ADAMS 6

DANNY NARDIELLO 6

RYAN LOWE 6

Subs: Hallam Hope 6 (for Nardiello 58), Craig Jones 6 (for Tutte 70), Danny Rose 6 (O’Brien 78). Not used: Chris Hussey, Chris Sedgwick, Hayden White, Rob Lainton.

LUTON (4-3-3) Tyler; Harriman, Franks, Wilkinson, Griffiths; Smith, Doyle, Drury; Whalley, Cullen, Rooney.

Subs: Howells (Drury 78), Lafayette (Cullen 78) Robinson (Whalley 84). Not used: Lacey, Justham, Miller, Stevenson.

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands).

Attendance: 2,923 (182 visiting).