O’NEILL NICKS A POINT BUT BOSS LOVELL WANTED MORE
Gills go close to beating Hatters
GILLINGHAM boss Steve Lovell was left disappointed his side hadn’t ended Luton Town’s lengthy unbeaten run during a draw at Kenilworth Road.
The visitors had trailed twice, before impressive full-back Luke O’Neill’s wonderful 25-yard free kick with 11 minutes to go ensured they picked up a point.
However, Lovell felt it could have been an even better outcome, saying: “We’re disappointed – we should have won it. Brandon Hanlan had three chances in the first half and he should have scored.
“We created more chances here than in our last five or six games. Our two upfront caused Luton all sorts of problems.
“The way we set up, the way we played and the way we took the game to them.
“Even at 2-1 down we kept going and got a great equaliser from Luke.
“It was a great point but it could have been more.
“Luton are on a great run and I knew we had to come here and be on our game defensively.
“We worked all week on keeping to roles and responsibilities as this was a massive point in terms of our league position.
“It’s so close down there, but there are eight games to go and it’s in our hands. We have games to play against sides who are around the bottom of the table.”
Luton chief Mick Harford was left with an element of frustration that the Hatters hadn’t gone further clear of Barnsley, after the Tykes drew with Doncaster on Friday evening.
Town, who are now 25 unbeaten in the Football League, are still five points in front with eight games to go, as he said: “We are frustrated, but you’ve got to give the opposition a little bit of credit.
“It’s been a tough week for us in terms of travelling and games, but overall, on chances created, positions we got ourselves into, I think we should have come out winners.
“But they matched us up in the diamond, went man-for-man all over the pitch and at times they looked dangerous.
“From the kick-off we went into Danny (Hylton), fortunately Danny chested it into Collo’s (James Collins) path and he hit a wonderful left-footed drive and the keeper made a save.
“We all thought ‘hello, what’s going to happen here?’ But we never underestimate anyone and we definitely didn’t underestimate Gillingham and the way they play, or the way they go about their business. I thought they gave us a real good test.”
A quiet first half saw Town threaten first, James Collins testing Tomas Holy from 20 yards, with James Justin also firing an effort just over the top.
Gills striker Brandon Hanlan put a free header wide, with the attacker also shooting straight at James Shea.
Andrew Shinnie’s curler was inches wide, but Luton took the lead a minute before half time when Callum Reilly’s clearance fell into Danny Hylton’s path and he prodded past Holy.
Gills were level after 52 minutes, Reilly dinking over a cross that Tom Eaves headed home.
Hatters retook the lead in the 67th minute, Shinnie’s pass finding the onrushing Jack Stacey, who beat Holy at his near post.
Shea made a brilliant reaction save to prevent Eaves, although he was powerless when O’Neill’s free kick flew past him. Collins almost won it, heading Stacey’s