First shutout for Henry after defensive shuffle

Town’s rearguard seemed far more natural with Lathaniel Rowe-Turner partnering Janos Kovacs in the heart of defence, allowing Ronnie Henry and Greg Taylor to play in their preferred full-back berths.

Skipper Henry said: “It felt more natural, but then again in pre-season I was playing centre-half keeping clean sheets against Championship sides and it felt natural then.

“It’s fine, Greg Taylor left-back, Snoop (Rowe-Turner) at centre-half with Janos and me right-back.

“It’s all our natural positions apart from Snoop. He’s a good centre-half and a good left-back.

“I don’t think we really mind where we play but I’m sure a lot of people will say that’s our natural positions and I’m sure a lot of people will say they’re our best positions.”

Henry admitted he enjoyed playing right-back much more, but doesn’t mind where his position is as long as Luton are winning.

He continued: “It doesn’t bother me.

“Wherever we’re told to play the lads are happy with that, they’ll get their heads down, get on with it and get the job done, like we did.

“It’s a big difference, there’s a lot more leg work. I can get up and down the line. It’s something that naturally comes to me and I’ve done it in League One and League Two.

“It doesn’t bother me, centre-half, right-back, I enjoy right-back.

“I prefer to get my legs going for as long as I can. If we keep going like we are we will be OK.”

That versatility Town’s defence displayed bodes well for the season, as Henry said: “It’s a very good thing because if we get injuries people just slot into different places seamlessly.

“It doesn’t worry us where we play but I think the other lads were happy with that, a clean sheet was a big bonus and scoring goals.

“The forwards are very lively and the midfield are ticking over nicely.”

But the clean sheet was the most pleasing aspect of the night for the Hatters, as Henry said: “That’s the big thing for the defenders and the rest of the team.

“It hit us quite hard at the weekend that we conceded two sloppy goals, which we haven’t done pre-season.

“It’s a massive shock. When you keep clean sheets regularly and one goes in, it’s a big shock but you’ve got to get over it quickly.

“To concede two goals is unlike us, but the lads have bounced back tremendously to come away with a 2-0 result and it could have been more.”

Livewire striker Stuart Fleetwood concurred, adding: “That’s the main thing that we wanted.

“We know that if we keep a clean sheet we are going to score goals with the firepower that we’ve got.

“They didn’t really have any clear-cut chances which we are very happy with. We defended set-pieces great and if we get a clean sheet we are always going to score goals.”

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