Luton loss won’t derail us: Coley

ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman insists his side won’t allow Tuesday’s defeat to Luton affect them when they take on league leaders Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Reds head into the match with top of the table Portsmouth having suffered an emphatic 4-1 loss away from home against Luton in midweek.

While it may have been a heavy defeat for his side, Coleman doesn’t think the scoreline reflected the game, and has no concerns ahead of the upcoming clash with Portsmouth.

“We won’t roll over and hide in a corner now. We’re still in a healthy position in the league and playing good football,” he said.

“These games may hurt your goal difference but sometimes you have nights like this. We’ve now got a great game against the top of the league on Saturday so we’re not too downbeat.

“It was a cracking game of football against Luton, but 4-1 didn’t do it justice. I don’t think it reflected the chances created as their goalkeeper made four really good saves whereas our goalkeeper only made one.

“There were two great sides having a go and making chances, but Luton took their chances and were more clinical than us. In terms of attempts on target we’ve probably had more, but there were a few key incidents.

“We gifted them the second and third goals by losing possession in dangerous areas, and they’ve got good players and took advantage.

“Danny Hylton got Man of the Match for scoring three goals and who I am to argue as a former striker, but I don’t think he was in the top 10 players on the pitch.

“I don’t think there were many better players on the pitch than Dan Barlaser and Sean McConville, they were both outstanding and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Hylton was a bit fortunate to stay on the pitch after trying to poke our lad in the eye at half-time which started a melee. He’s got previous for it but that’s football.

“They came out after the interval and took advantage of the disruption that happened and we didn’t get going in the second half. I’ve no issues though. There are good people here so I have no animosity.”

Stanley were handed a home draw in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup against League Two side Colchester. The tie will be played on the weekend of November 10/11.