Nahki Wells opened his season account to help hosts Luton Town advance to the second round of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a convincing 3-0 win over visiting League Town side Gillingham at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

The Bermuda striker had the distinction of scoring the Hatters first goal of the 2026-27 season when he caressed club debutant Jayden Luker’s perfectly threaded pass into the far corner of the net, as the home side finally capitalised on their dominance two minutes before the break.

Wells, 36, also had a hand in Luton’s second goal after his low shot was parried by Gillingham goalkeeper Owen Mayson and Hatters debutant Benny Benagr poked the loose ball over the line from close range to double the hosts advantage.

Luton pressed on with Wells ballooning an effort high over the bar when well-placed following Jordan Clark’s cut-back.

Gideon Kodua added a third in the 79th minute when he nodded substitute and Luton debutant Harrison Ashby’s cross from the left that was spilled by Mason into his path home from close range.

Kodua was unfortunate not to have grabbed a second goal after getting on the end of another Ashby cross which came back off the post.

Luton’s resounding victory did not come without cost as Luker pulled his hamstring early in the second half and was replaced.

Elsewhere, Wells’ compatriot Nathan Trott and his Cardiff City team-mates came from behind to edge ten-man Swindon Town 3-2 at Cardiff City Stadium to also advance to the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Louis Millard put the Robins ahead in the tenth minute when he fired past goalkeeper Trott via a deflection off of Gabriel Osho.

Yousef Salech levelled for the Bluebirds from the penalty spot after Swindon defender Mitch Clark handled Isaak Davies’s cross.

Salech then grabbed a second just before the break when he volleyed home Cian Ashford’s pass into the box to put Cardiff ahead.

Ashford nearly went from provider to scorer after being played in behind by David Turnbull, but saw his effort crash against the crossbar.

After a slow start to the second half, Paul Glatzel equalised for the visitors when he forced Joseph Hungno’s cross past Trott at the back post.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Bluebirds substitute and debutant Jack Moylan drilled Salech’s pass into the top right corner with what ultimately proved to be the winner.

The Robins nearly hit straight back when Ollie Palmer’s effort from close range rebounded off the post before Trott collected the loose ball. Palmer also had another effort which was deflected over the bar moments later.

The visitors were reduced to ten men early in stoppage time when James Debayo picked up a second yellow card after a rash challenge on Ashford.

Still, they applied more pressure in search of another equaliser which they were ultimately denied as Trott and his team-mates held on to secure their spot in the next round.