Luton suffered defeat on their trip to Sheffield United as they lost 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

In a bout between two of the three sides relegated from last season’s Premier League, a pair of goals by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on his 22nd birthday goals decided the contest in the Blades’ favour.

Defeat was Luton’s fifth of the campaign after the opening nine games of the Championship season, leaving Rob Edwards’ side just above the relegation zone in 21st position ahead of both an international break and a clash with local rivals Watford in their first game back in two weeks time.

The Hatters had won on their last two visits to Bramall Lane, having won on their way to promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago and while both teams were in the Premier League on Boxing Day last year.

This time, the Hatters had more of an uphill battle, with Sheffield United having made a positive start to the new campaign and Luton arriving off the back of one point from games against Plymouth and Oxford in their last two matches.

But it was the home side that would take the lead in the 12th minute. Rak-Sakyi received a lobbed pass by Anel Ahmedhozic, ran into a gap between two Luton defenders and fired past Thomas Kaminski.

Luton failed to hit a shot on target in the first half and the home side had chances in the latter stages of it to double their lead, with Rak-Sakyi shooting wide and Kieffer Moore denied by Kaminski.

Kaminski then denied Callum O’Hare just after the break, before Luton had their first chance on target when Jordan Clark was kept off the scoreboard by a save from Michael Cooper.

But the Blades would make it 2-0 seven minutes into the second half. The ball fell the way of Rhian Brewster, who threaded the ball inside for Rak-Sakyi to receive, run forward and fire a shot in-between Kaminski’s legs and in.

Sheffield United would have chances for more goals, with Kaminski denying Brewster’s drive before Vini Souza hit the post after Luton lost possession.

Cooper made a late stop to deny Alfie Doughty, but the Hatters were unable to prevent their fate as they left South Yorkshire a beaten side.