A SONNY SIDE UP FOR TOWN
LUTON .... 1 HUDDERSFIELD .... 1
SONNY BRADLEY bagged a brilliant volley to set up a cracking second leg in Huddersfield as this Championship play-off tie was left on a knife-edge.
The Luton captain’s superb finish cancelled out Daniel Sinani’s early effort to ensure it’s all to play for on Monday.
But the Hatters will feel they missed a great chance after failing to build on the momentum of a strong first-half finish with a subdued second.
These two sides are not fancied to make it to the Premier League but they entertained in a cracking opening to this game.
Huddersfield should have had a penalty inside a minute as Harry Toffolo appeared to be pushed over by Amari’i Bell.
That set the pattern for a pulsating half with James Bree saw his shot pushed over by Lee Nicholls but Luton were undone on the break as Toffolo found Sinari whose low finish beat Matt Ingram at his near post in 12 minutes.
The Hatters came storming back as Cameron Jerome’s header from Bree’s cross went just wide.
And they were level on the half-hour as a brilliant Kal Naismith free-kick was volleyed in by Bradley from close range.
Moments later Luton deserved a penalty of their own as Naby Sarr impeded last man Jerome but ref Robert Jones waved it off.
Boss Nathan Jones said: “We should have had a penalty, which is also a possible red card because it denied a goalscoring opportunity.”
The Hatters have not been in the top flight since 1992, just before the Premier League era, but they were showing why they are dangerous in this play-off challenge.
Jerome went close to a wonderful goal when his 20-yard shot went inches over, while at the other end Ingram made a fine stop to foil Danny Ward’s header from Sinai’s cross.
Sarr then made a superb block to prevent Henri Lansbury giving Luton the lead as Jerome worked his magic down the left.
Neither side could maintain the tempo after the break with Harry Cornick flicking wide from another free-kick.
Huddersfield gaffer Carlos Corberan said: “The draw was the fair result. Luton were a little better in the first half but we were excellent in the second.
“Now we must focus on recovery and get ready for another tough game.”