MICK’S MARVELS Hatters rewrite club record books
FLEETWOOD 1 LUTON 2
stick together. It’s a hell of a group of lads.
“I thought we were brilliant in the second half, that’s 18 clean sheets in all competitions.”
Charlton manager
Lee Bowyer felt his side did not make full use of Lyle Taylor, returning after suspension.
He said: “We have not had our main striker Taylor for the last three games and we didn’t have our other striker for the two before that.
“It’s been tough, but we had two strikers on the pitch and we didn’t create enough chances.” MICK HARFORD claims Luton’s history-makers of 2019 are one of the best sides the club have seen.
George Moncur’s wonder free-kick helped the Hatters set a club record of 20 Football League matches unbeaten as they remained six points clear at the top of League
One.
Alex Cairns’ howler allowed Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s speculative
25- yard shot to slip through his hands for a second and the only DARREN FERGUSON did not enjoy Peterborough’s performance, but said the three points were vital in restoring some belief.
Posh’s victory, which sent Oxford back into the bottom four, was their first under new boss Ferguson, who is in his third spell as manager at London Road.
The match looked to be heading for a stalemate until Ivan Toney was left unmarked at a free-kick in the 76th blip for legendary Hatters striker Harford – named as manager until the end of the season this week – was a stoppage- time consolation volley for Fleetwood’s Paddy Madden.
But the Luton boss ( below), who has stepped in to guide the club to six straight league wins
following Nathan Jones’ exit to manage Stoke, believes his side are on the up.
He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the players. It puts them up with some of the best teams who have ever been out there and performed for Luton Town. They’re a brilliant bunch. “The team’s playing well, creating chances and performing with a bit of confidence.”
Moncur has made an instant impact since arriving from Barnsley last month, scoring four goals in just 127 minutes on the pitch.
He marked his first start for the Hatters by whipping in a free- kick four minutes from the end of a badtempered first half that brought no fewer than six bookings.
Andrew Shinnie took the brunt of Fleetwood’s aggression, with Ross Wallace, Wes Burns and Jason Holt yellow-carded.
Fleetwood were effectively finished off when Cairns misjudged Mpanzu’s hit-andhope effort four minutes after the interval.
Fleetwood boss Joey Barton said: “You’re scratching your head and wondering if there was much between the two sides. And they’re a good side.
“They’re a side we’re aiming to be.” STEVE LOVELL believes Gillingham’s win will lift his players’ spirits.
Mark Byrne’s winner ended a five-match winless streak and moved the Gills out of the relegation zone.
Lovell said: “It’s not nice going through a run when there’s nothing going for you. It’s hard to accept it, and even harder to dig in and come through it.
“I’ve said all along that the boys are a great bunch and I felt proud of them. It hasn’t been easy the last few weeks but you have to stay strong and positive.
“Getting the three points will do them the world of good mentally.”
Scunthorpe boss Stuart McCall said: “I had a word with the lads at the hotel, and then again when we got here, about not thinking that we’re safe. We need to get as many points as we can.”