ELLIS Simms scored the only goal as Coventry City beat Luton Town 1-0 to advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup.
Simms struck from close range on 57 minutes to settle the first round tie at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The draw for the second round of the competition takes place on Wednesday, August 13 on Sky Sports Football in the build-up to Birmingham City’s clash with Sheffield United.
Luton went close early on as Cauley Woodrow headed a corner from the left wide of the post from six-yards out.
The League One side tested Ben Wilson soon after as the Sky Blues goalkeeper pushed Woodrow’s powerful effort from distance to safety.
City responded with a chance of their own as Raphael Borges Rodrigues surged down the right and delivered a cross towards Simms who could only volley the ball over the crossbar.
Frank Lampard’s side then spurned a glorious chance to take the lead as youngster Kai Andrews saw his effort from eight-yards out blocked behind by Tom Holmes.
However, the Sky Blues broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Rodrigues found Haji Wright in the box who in turn squared the ball to Simms who tapped home from a few yards out.
Substitute Jack Rudoni almost doubled City’s lead with a low free-kick from 20-yards out with Luton stopper James Shea equal to the midfielder’s set-piece.
Simms then fired wide after good work from Brandon Thomas-Asante down the left.
Luton almost levelled the game at the death only for substitute Jake Richards to head the ball over the bar from close range following a corner from the left.
Coventry are next in action against Derby County on Saturday, August 16 with kick-off at 12.30pm at Pride Park.
