a broken toe sustained in the game at Kingsmeadow, Luton signed Grays Athletic defender Fred Murray on a six-month loan deal. Murray started in the team on the same day in Luton's first home game of the season – a 4–1 victory over Mansfield Town that saw centre-back George Pilkington score his first two goals for the club. Luton continued with victories over Gateshead and Forest Green Rovers, before labouring to a 0–0 home draw with Chester City. Long-term injuries to forwards Ryan Charles and Liam Hatch left Luton short on attacking options, resulting in striker George Donnelly signing on a one-month loan from Plymouth Argyle on 28 August. Luton ended August unbeaten with a draw at Kettering Town, placing them third in the table. September Luton secured a fourth consecutive clean sheet with a 3–0 victory over Crawley Town at Kenilworth Road, keeping in touch with early league leaders Oxford United and Mansfield Town. A poor run of form throughout the rest of September saw Luton pick up just seven points from six games – including away losses at Oxford and Wrexham, the latter of which manager Mick Harford described as "the worst performance in Luton Town's history". A brief respite was found in an extraordinary comeback victory over Cambridge United. Losing 2–0 at half-time and with a man sent off, Luton rallied to a 4–3 win by full-time, Kevin Gallen scoring twice. However, just three days later, Luton suffered a home defeat after a lifeless performance to local rivals Stevenage Borough. Peterborough United striker Ben Wright signed on a one-month loan on 29 September, boosting Luton's attacking options in the wake of further injuries and suspensions. October On 1 October, manager Mick Harford parted company as the club's manager by mutual consent. Luton were 13 points from the top of the table and, in a club statement, managing director Gary Sweet admitted that results and performances were not up to the standards expected at the beginning of the season. First-team coach Alan Neilson was named caretaker manager until a replacement for Harford could be found. Neilson's first game ended in a 2–1 victory over Tamworth. Neilson continued on an unbeaten run of five matches, including an FA Cup victory over Grays Athletic, until Luton appointed former Walsall boss Richard Money as permanent manager on 30 October. Neilson continued working at the club as Money's assistant manager and former