OXFORD United’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end as Luton Town wrapped up the Sky Bet League One title on the final day of the season.

George Moncur’s third-minute free-kick sent the home side on their way.

The U’s steadied themselves after the early setback, but fell behind to Elliot Lee’s strike shortly after half-time.

Luke Garbutt’s fourth goal of the season threatened to make the game interesting, before Moncur’s second strike of the afternoon made the game safe.

The title celebrations could get under way, but United did not go out quietly as they searched for a way back into the game late on.

While it proved beyond them, the previous nine games had assured a top-half finish for Karl Robinson’s side.

Illness ruled out Rob Dickie, so Nico Jones continued at centre half for Oxford United, who made two changes to their starting line-up as Jamie Mackie and Luke Garbutt replaced Jerome Sinclair and Gavin Whyte.

Luton’s promotion had been rubber-stamped in midweek, but the title was still up for grabs.

They were in the box seats, knowing a victory would be enough to finish on top and roared on by a capacity crowd at Kenilworth Road came flying out of the traps.

In the third minute the experienced striker James Collins lured Jones into a foul 25 yards out.

Moncur stepped up and curled the ball around the United wall to beat Simon Eastwood, who was left to complain about the defensive preparations.

It was just the start Luton had dreamed, but within eight minutes the lead should have been wiped out.

James Henry intercepted a pass in the Luton half and slipped in Mackie, whose low shot was too close to James Shea and the goalkeeper made an excellent one-handed save diving to his right.

It was by far the clearest chance United forged before the break, although they did more than just hang on for much of the half.

Lightning almost struck twice for Moncur from a similar range, but his second free-kick of the afternoon clipped the side netting.

United were well in the game, but their hosts looked a real threat when the mood took them.

Just before the half-hour mark Collins was denied at point-blank range by Eastwood and from the rebound Lee’s shot was kept out by an acrobatic block from Jones.

The visitors could feel relatively pleased with themselves at the break, but the Hatters came on strongly at the start of the second half.

Lee had already forced a save when, on 53 minutes, he applied a classy final touch to a flowing move and make it 2-0.

It appeared to have wrapped up the title, but United did not cave in.

Whyte and Sinclair came off the bench to give the visitors far more of an attacking threat.

Within three minutes Whyte had driven inside and slipped a clever pass into Browne. The West Ham loanee’s shot hit the post, but fell for Garbutt to fire into the net.

For a spell they rattled Luton, who knew an equaliser could cost them the title.

Another Whyte pass for Browne carved out a clear chance, but Shea stood up well to make a block.

It proved a vital save, as Luton quickly reasserted their two-goal advantage, Moncur ramming home a shot after Josh Ruffels’s attempted clearance fell to him.

That meant a largely processional finish to the game, despite United having an array of attacking players on the pitch.

They then had to flee at the final whistle as Luton fans poured on to the pitch to celebrate.

Luton Tn (4-1-2-1-2): Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley, Justin, McCormack (Berry 83), Mpanzu, Shinnie, Moncur, Collins (Connolly 88), Lee (Cornick 70).

Unused subs: Isted, Potts, Baptiste, Panter.

Booked: Pearson.

Oxford Utd (4-2-3-1): Eastwood, Long, Nelson, Jones, Ruffels, Brannagan, Hanson, Browne, Henry (Whyte 58), Garbutt (Hall 83), Mackie (Sinclair 58).

Unused subs: Stevens, Mousinho, Sykes, Napa.

Booked: Brannagan, Hanson, Browne.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire).

Attendance: 10,089 (1,025 visitors).