HARFORD HAILS HIS RESILIENT HATTERS
LUTON Town chief Mick Harford felt his side were given a difficult afternoon by struggling Rochdale before stretching their unbeaten League run to 22 games.
The League One leaders had to wait an hour to break the deadlock, Danny Hylton scoring his first goal since October, before James Collins bagged a clincher in injury time.
Harford said: “It was a very tough game, a real sticky game, they came with a different shape, played five at the back, made it hard for us.
“They came and had a go in all fairness, played two strikers and they pressed us really high up the pitch, condensed the space when the ball went forward and looked dangerous.
“There were a couple of occasions in the first half where, in transition, they nearly got in when we were left two against two and a couple of times one against one, so it was a difficult afternoon in terms of dealing with them.
“They played a very high line, there was space in behind them, we looked a threat, so I think, overall, it was a real professional performance.”
Chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes, but the hosts went close early on through Danny Hylton, who sent Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s cross over the bar. James Collins also forced keeper Andy Lonergan into a smart save five minutes before half-time.
The Hatters took the lead in the 59th minute, after Elliot Lee headed Jack Stacey’s cross on to the bar, leaving Hylton to nod home the rebound.
The hosts almost had a second in the 64th minute, but Collins’ downward header was clawed out by Lonergan.
Rochdale’s best moment came in the 78th minute, when substitute Zach Clough shot straight at Luton keeper James Shea from outside the box.
Dale were reduced to 10 men with five minutes to go, as Ethan Hamilton received a second yellow for a bad foul.
Luton made them pay in stoppage time, and sealed the points as Collins slammed Kazenga LuaLua’s pass into the net for his 20th of the campaign.
A disappointed Dale manager Keith Hill was upbeat his side can get out of trouble, despite finding themselves five points away from safety.
He said: “I saw plenty of fight, plenty of determination, we made some wrong decisions, but I thought they tried to back each other up, which was far better than I’ve seen for a long time.
“It was a pretty intense week, lot of home truths, and I think that’s the way forward with that type of aggression.
“We had chances, but unfortunately came up against a better side. There’s no shame in losing, but we’re losing too many games. They get a second ball again, which I’m really angry about, but I can see enough fight in the group, and if we relax there’s enough ability.”
LUTON TOWN: Shea 7, Stacey 6, Pearson 7, Bradley 7, Justin 6, McCormack 7, Mpanzu 6 (Potts 75, 6), Shinnie 8, Lee 7 (LuaLua 81, 7), Hylton 8 (Berry 89, 6), Collins 7. Subs not used: Moncur, Cummings, Isted, Sheehan.
ROCHDALE: Lonergan 7, M Williams 7, McNulty 6, Delaney 6, Bunney 5 (J Williams 63, 6), Camps 5, Hamilton 7, Dooley 6, Henderson 6 (Clough 71, 7), Inman 6, Done 5 (Andrew 63, 5). Subs not used: Holden, Adshead, Wade, Matheson.