Hatters sweat on goal hero Morris

CARLTON MORRIS left the pitch in pain having inflicted plenty of hurt on shot-shy Birmingham.

The striker’s 13th goal of the season secured Luton’s ninth away victory and puts them back on track after a three-match winless run.

But the result was overshadowed by the injury to Morris, who faces an x-ray on his shoulder after landing badly following a challenge from sub Marc Roberts, who was booked.

Hatters manager Rob Edwards said: “The yellow card was lenient. His legs are all right, luckily.

“Fingers crossed and see how he is. He is really important to us.

“It wasn’t a classic so to come out on the right side of it is pleasing.

“We had to compete and it was important to get the first goal.”

As for Birmingham, this was their ninth defeat in 11 games and they failed to muster a shot on target in a week when they discovered they could face a suspended points deduction for misconduct.

Manager John Eustace, who described Roberts’ challenge as a “fantastic tackle”, is coming under increasing pressure but he is not being helped by a series of injuries including one to striker Troy Deeney.

He said: “You ask if I feel under pressure. No. I am here to help this club to turn around. It is very difficult, we are missing key players, important players.

“This is my first job in the Championship and it is a learning experience.”

An instantly forgettable first half was wiped away by an electric start to the second period.

Alfie Doughty’s cross from the left found Morris who had a free header and made no mistake. BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 6; Colin 7, Dean 6 (James (90) 5), Long 6, Longelo 6 (Graham (86) 5); Chong 7, Gardner 7 (Bacuna (64) 5), Mejbri 6 (Chang (64) 5), Hall 6 (Roberts (64) 5); Jutkiewicz 6, Hogan 6 LUTON: Horvath 6; Burke 6 (Campbell (55) 6), Osho 7, Bell 7; Drameh 6, Nakamba 7, Mpanzu 7, Clark 6, Doughty 7; Morris 7 (Woodrow (73) 5), Adebayo 6 STAR MAN: Carlton Morris – Made a nuisance of himself and scored the decisive goal. REF: David Webb 7