Jones left purring by dominant Hatters

LUTON boss Nathan Jones felt his side delivered the ‘complete performance’ during their win over Walsall.

Glen Rea’s first goal of the season and Jorge Grant’s splendid free-kick sealed the victory, as Jones said: “I thought we were pretty dominant from start to finish, I asked them from a reaction after last week, because I felt we were just off the levels.

“These are an excellent side on the road, haven’t been beaten, conceded seven goals and without being too disrespectful, we could have doubled that tally.

“I thought we were excellent in terms of our application, how we worked, how we defended our box, as they’re a threat, they have a front four who are a real, real threat and that was as complete a performance as we’ve had here for long, long time.”

Town went close early on, Andrew Shinnie’s effort deflecting wide, before the hosts were ahead when skipper Rea turned in Grant’s corner.

Grant’s low shot was comfortable for visiting keeper Liam Roberts, while Walsall had an opening after 34 minutes, Andy Cook’s header glancing wide, the striker also having a downward effort touched over by James Shea.

Luton made it 2-0 when Grant fired in a superb 25-yard free-kick that flew past Roberts and into the net after 55 minutes.

James Justin hit a post for Town, as the Saddlers offered little throughout, sub Connor Ronan and Cook cracking over from 25 yards.

Luton could have won by more, Danny Hylton firing wide from inside the area, while James Collins headed over, Shinnie’s blast that was ungainly parried away by Roberts, who then saved well from sub Harry Cornick. Saddlers chief Dean Keates was frustrated to see his side’s unbeaten away record end with a whimper, saying: “We’re massively disappointed, that was nowhere near our standard.

“I’m not one for making excuses – I’ll take nothing away from Luton, they were the better team.

“We’ve conceded from set-pieces which are part and parcel of the game.

“It’s the first time we’ve failed to score away from home and as a group, we were not good enough.”