A miserable Bank Holiday weekend for Ebbsfleet United ended with defeat at home to title favourites Luton Town.

Nathan Elder came off the bench to score his first competitive goal at Stonebridge Road, but by that time Liam Daish, pictured, and his side were 3-0 down and a beaten team.

Luton opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Scott Rendell, who had already gone close, set up Stuart Fleetwood to score from close-range. Fleetwood returned the favour nine minutes later when he ran through and picked out Rendell, who doubled the Hatters’ lead.

The home side did show sign of life before the interval, with Tom Phipp’s powerful free-kick stinging the palms of Luton keeper Mark Tyler. Phil Walsh, drafted into the centre of Ebbsfleet’s defence, then headed wide after Dean Beckwith had hacked an effort off the line.

Lanre Azeez looked lively for the Fleet and he almost reduced the arrears after the restart, controlling Liam Enver-Marum’s cross only to be denied by Beckwith’s saving tackle.

However, the result was put beyond doubt 17 minutes from time, when Andre Grey led a quick Luton counter-attack and crossed for Fleetwood to stroke home his second of the afternoon.

Elder’s headed goal, in the 86th minute, was barely a consolation for a Fleet side who looked to be feeling the effects of Saturday’s disastrous trip to Hereford United.

The visitors’ coach broke down on the trip west and kick-off was delayed until 4.30pm. Hereford were already 2-0 up when Liam Bellamy was dismissed for two bookings and the Bulls went on to win 4-2, with Moses Ashikodi and Joe Howe netting for Liam Daish’s side.

Without a win since the opening day of the season, Ebbsfleet have slipped to 20th in Blue Square Bet Premier.