Buckle delighted by Town’s battling qualities

Hatters boss Paul Buckle praised his side’s character as they came from behind to earn a vital three points at Forest Green Rovers yesterday, writes Mike Simmonds.

Town trailed after an error from goalkeeper Dean Brill, in for the injured Mark Tyler, saw summer target Yan Klukowski score from close range.

But a beauty by Stuart Fleetwood and Scott Rendell’s injury time penalty ensured Luton, roared on by 1,002 fans in a crowd of 2,112, came out on top.

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Buckle said: “I didn’t think there was lot wrong with us all day. We were pleased to get in 0-0 at half time, because there was a strong wind against us and they’re a good side.

“They’re a team that won 4-1 in the week which we went and witnessed, and it was never going to be easy here.

“They didn’t actually cause us as many problems as I thought they would, I thought we kept them really quiet.

“Second half I didn’t think we deserved to be a goal behind. Dean knows that it slipped through his hands, but I had a feeling we would win the game on the back of how much effort Dean Brill has put in.

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“There’s a confidence about the players now. They believe in each other, there’s no heroes, no superstars.

“No-one thinks they’re too good and this is what it’s going to take, lots of grit and skill and hard work along the way.”

The victory took Town to within a point of leaders Newport County who were beaten 3-2 at home by Woking, while Wrexham’s match at Braintree as abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

Buckle said: “I’m not really looking at league tables. I’ve got my hands full in trying to get where we need to be.

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“We’re not where we want to be at the moment, we know there’s going to be loads more games like this where we have to go to the very end.”

Goalscorer Fleetwood, whose goal was 10th strike of the campaign, added: “It wasn’t looking great at 1-0 down. I didn’t have the greatest of games myself, but I popped up with a nice goal and it was great comeback from the lads as we showed real good character to send the travelling fans home too.”

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