SAVIOUR SOLLY CRUSHES JONES
LUTON boss Nathan Jones declared he was ‘devastated’ to concede an injury-time equaliser against Charlton as the two sides drew at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters looked like they had done enough for victory, coming back from a goal down to lead 2-1, only for Chris Solly’s first goal in six years to earn the Addicks a share of the spoils.
Jones said: “I’m devastated as we should have won the game, we deserved to win the game, especially being 2-1 up so late on, we should have seen the game out.
“I thought we were excellent. This is Charlton Athletic, not long ago for us to be thought about playing sides like this was a long way off.
“I felt we created more, first half we should have been in the lead, they’ve been given a penalty – and given a penalty because it’s outside the box, it’s a soft penalty again.
“Then I thought we were excellent, I really did. We started slowly second half, but then put the burners on and we should have been further ahead, and then in injury time should have killed the game off.”
Charlton were ahead after 23 minutes when James Collins clipped Joe Aribo in the area for a penalty, clinically converted by Tariqe Fosu.
Luton should have levelled 10 minutes into the second period, Elliot Lee denied by keeper Jed Steer’s legs, the striker’s rebound hitting the outside of a post.
The introduction of Harry Cornick saw Luton a different side as, after missing a great chance, he beat Steer to Collins’ flick-on after 74 minutes to find the net.
Steer made an excellent save from Lee, but he was beaten again with nine minutes to go, Pelly-Ruddock Mapznu’s shot cannoning off the woodwork and Collins converting the rebound.
Cornick could have wrapped it up, racing away only to shoot over, before Solly struck for the first time since October 6, 2012, to snatch an equaliser.
Solly last struck away at Blackpool to seal a 2-0 victory and his long wait for a goal did not disappoint again, securing a point on their first visit to Luton since 1996.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer added: “We definitely didn’t deserve to lose – a draw was a fair result.
“Luton are a good side and they tested us at times, but we conceded a poor first goal and it gave them a lift at a time when they weren’t really hurting us.
“That was frustrating because I thought it was only a matter of time before we scored a second.
“Our team kept fighting and pushing – it shows the spirit they have.
“They keep believing – they don’t want to lose and they never give in.
“I kept telling Chris to push up and get on the edge of the box because Luton didn’t have anyone out there.
“Thankfully it fell to him and he got the goal.”