Crocked Hatters will have to wait despite Adebayo’s sweet 16
NATHAN JONES praised his Luton squad’s ability to keep going through an injury crisis even though they missed a chance to clinch a play-off slot.
Jones had eight players out and had to start his fifth different goalkeeper of the season.
To make matters worse, top scorer Elijah Adebayo and skipper Sonny Bradley both limped off yesterday at Kenilworth Road.
Even though they do not play again until a week tomorrow, Hatters manager Jones was not optimistic about emptying the treatment room.
“To do what we are doing is phenomenal,” he said.
“We can’t freshen up the team but we’ve got to patch them up and carry on.
“Yes, we might get one or two back but not a big number.
“But we’ll keep digging in and trying to get enough points.
“It’s still very much in our hands but it was disappointing today.”
Luton would have made almost sure of a top-six finish with a win and the right combination of results elsewhere.
But they didn’t do enough to win a game spoiled by a gusty wind.
And the visitors were in no mood to hand out gifts.
Luton were ahead after only two minutes when Adebayo cut inside from the right and his 16th goal of the season was deflected past goalkeeper Chris Maxwell by Richard Keogh.
Blackpool looked to hit back but could not test debutant keeper Harry Isted. And Harry
Cornick passed up a great chance to make it 2-0 when he got free of defenders to meet Robert Snodgrass’ cross, only to nod the ball over the bar.
The Seasiders levelled in the 55th minute when CJ Hamilton’s ambitious run in from the right was halted by Dan Potts’ trip and Gary Madine smacked home the penalty.
Madine could have won it but his looping header dropped just wide.
And Luton sub Cameron Jerome missed an even better chance when he nodded wide from a Snodgrass cross.
Jones and company were outraged when sub Admiral Muskwe found the net only for the officials to rule that Adebayo had pushed Keogh in the build-up.
“It’s a clear goal,” Jones said. “No issue whatsoever.”
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley was happy with his side’s display even though they had little to play for.
He said: “We got off to the worst possible start and we’d spoken about it, worked on it and highlighted it.
“But in the second half we were the team in the ascendancy.
“I’ve seen teams go under here and we didn’t.”
LUTON: Isted 7; Lockyer 6, Bradley 6 (Muskwe (66th) 6), Potts 6 (Lansbury 77th); Kioso 5, Campbell 6, Naismith 7, Snodgrass 7, Bell 6; Adebayo 6, Cornick 5 (Jerome 81st)
BLACKPOOL: Maxwell 6; Connolly 6, Ekpiteta 6, Keogh 7, Husband 5; Hamilton 6, Anderson 8, Dougall 7, Kirk 6 (Bowler (69th) 6); Madine 7 Beesley 6 (Lavery 76th)
STAR MAN: Keshi Anderson
REF: J Brooks