Hatters defy injury crisis
By NICK SZCZEPANIK at Kenilworth Road
LUTON boss Nathan Jones praised his squad’s ability to keep going through a punishing injury crisis.
Even though they missed a chance to guarantee a play-off slot, against a stubborn Blackpool, this point does leave the
Hatters six clear of seventhplace, with two games left.
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. “To do what we are doing is quite phenomenal,” said Jones.
“We can’t freshen up the team, but we’ve got to patch them up and carry on. 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.”
The Hatters would have made completely sure of a top-six finish with a victory, given the way results went elsewhere.
But they never did enough to win a game spoiled by a gusty wind. And the visitors were in no mood to hand out any gifts.
Luton were ahead after only two minutes after Adebayo cut inside from the right and his 16th goal of the season was deflected past Tangerines keeper 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 Seasiders levelled after 55 minutes when CJ Hamilton’s run in from the right was halted by Dan Potts’ trip and Gary Madine smacked home the penalty.
Madine could have won it later on but his looping header fell just wide.
Luton substitute Cameron Jerome missed an even better chance when he nodded wide from Snodgrass’s cross. And then 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 mid-table side’s display, despite there being little at stake. “In the second half we were the team in the ascendancy,” he said. “I’ve seen sides go under here,
we didn’t.”
LUTON TOWN: Isted 7; Lockyer 6, Bradley 6 (Muskwe 66), Potts 6 (Lansbury 77); Kioso 5, Campbell 6, Naismith 7, Snodgrass 7, Bell 6; Adebayo 6, Cornick 5 (Jerome 81).
Subs not used: Thorpe, Horlick, Hylton, Mendes Gomes.
BLACKPOOL: Maxwell 6; Connolly 6,Ekpiteta 6, Keogh 7,Husband 5; Hamilton 6, Anderson 8, Dougall 7, Kirk 6 (Bowler 69); Madine 7 Beesley 6 (Lavery 76).
Subs not used Moore, Thorniley, Yates, Moore, Virtue.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Keshi Anderson. Always looking to make things happen and direct operations in the visitors’ midfield.
REFEREE: John Brooks 5.