DARREN Carr took another step towards regaining full fitness at Worthing last night.

The big stopper made his home debut as Albion Reserves slumped to a fourth successive defeat.

Carr's appearances have been severely restricted by ankle and calf injuries since his £25,000 close season move from Gillingham.

Substituted late on, he is still rusty and desperately needs games.

It may be a while yet before manager Micky Adams considers Carr ready for first team-action. Once he is though it will increase the already intense competition for places in the centre of defence.

Carr played alongside Andy Crosby, fit-again following an ear infection which affected his balance. Paul Watson also made his comeback after missing last Saturday's win at Carlisle with a groin injury.

Crosby and Watson were among five players to have figured in the first team this season, but a young Luton side led 2-0 at the break.

The Hatters, watched by their Brighton-born boss Lennie Lawrence, went ahead in the 34th minute, Mark Graham putting Moses Jerry clear to slide the ball past Will Packham.

Tresor Kandol doubled the visitors' advantage seven minutes later.

He smacked a 25-yard drive through the dive of Packham, deputising for virus victim Mark Ormerod.

Young striker Scott Ramsay pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when keeper Scott Ward failed to hold Shaun Wilkinson's shot.

Albion Reserves: Packham; Westcott, Watson, Palmer, Crosby, Carr, Wilkinson, Mayo, Newhouse, Cameron, Ramsay. Subs: Andrews for Carr (withdrawn 81), Marney for Cameron (withdrawn 83), Beech, A. Davis for Mayo (injured 54), Dallaway.

ALBION have been drawn at home to Conference side Yeovil in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The tie takes place at Nyewood Lane, Bognor, on Tuesday October 26 (7.30).

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