Hatters can’t find a way through despite roasting Lambs

Entertaining Luton did everything but score as they roasted the Lambs at snow-covered Kenilworth Road this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Town dominated throughout against gritty Tamworth, raining in numerous efforts and forcing 16 corners but just couldn’t find a way through.

Strikers Alex Wall and Jon Shaw went closest with chances that went inches wide at the start of the second half as Town had to settle for a point as they closed the gap on the play-offs and non-playing Grimsby to nine points.

Town made just one change from the team that beat Stockport County 1-0 on Tuesday night, striker Wall partnering Shaw up front as Andre Gray dropped to the bench.

Luton looked to get forward from the start in the blizzard-like conditions with David Martin’s forthright style causing the visitors problems.

Jonathan Smith did well to keep his feet and slide in Jake Howells on 10 minutes but he dragged just wide.

Worryingly the snow started to settle on parts of the pitch and it was the visitors who almost snatched the lead. Solomon Taiwo’s overly-ambitious pass was intercepted by Marcus Kelly on halfway and he drove forward and let fly from 20 yards with Mark Tyler parrying his effort and grabbing it at the second attempt with Darren Byfield sniffing.

Luton then twice went close in a minute as Connor Gudger’s downward header from Martin’s cross bounced just over the bar and from Martin’s resulting corner a near post flick found Steve McNulty lurking but he could only head softly at Liam Mitchell.

The Hatters continued to have the better of the encounter as appeals for a penalty when Wall went over in the box were waved away on 23 minutes and Howells’ low drive was easy for the keeper.

An inviting Taiwo cross found no takers on 29 minutes before Smith had a good shot well blocked in the area.

It was all Luton as they pressed with a series of corners in deteriorating conditions and Wall’s low drive from an acute angle was spilled past the post by Mitchell on 38 minutes.

Duane Courtney lofted an effort well over on 41 minutes before Danny Lloyd skinned Simon Ainge and his blast from a narrow angle was batted by Tyler and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner recovered from his miskick to clear with Byfield close to the loose ball.

The groundstaff were kept busy at the break clearing the line markings at the pitch started to resemble the Somme.

Lloyd flashed an early effort wide for the Lambs at the start of the second half before Luton should have taken the lead on 53 minutes when Shaw’s far-post cross picked out Wall but his header dribbled inches wide.

And the Hatters were inches away again three minutes later when Martin’s clever pass released Shaw into the box and Tom Marshall’s last-ditch challenge saw the ball squirm just wide as strangely just a goal-kick was given.

Substitute Gray almost had an immediate impact when muscled his way on to Shaw’s ball on 66 minutes but miskicked wide before overlapping on to Howells’ pass seconds later but his low effort was well held by the keeper.

Howells had appeals for a penalty waved away as he powered to the byline before Shaw had his effort destined for the top corner palmed away by the keeper.

The lively Lloyd sent a shot dipping over at the other end as both sides played some good stuff despite the challenging conditions.

Howells’ deflected effort was helped past the post by Mitchell, while referee Adam Bromley continued to let plenty go.

More good play from Gray and Shaw saw them feed the onrushing Taiwo but he could only loft wastefully over when well placed with 16 minutes to go.

Substitute Scott Rendell flicked Martin’s cross just over on 78 minutes and Howells’ effort with his weaker right foot was turned further wide by the keeper seconds later.

Defender Jake Goodman saw an effort deflected over and Gray’s low effort was spilled by Mitchell but it was just out of Rendell’s reach.

It was all Luton as the visitors brought on former Hatter Tommy Wright for Lloyd, with both teams continuing to make errors in the closing stages.

A Taiwo volley flew over in the last minute and Town continued to press to the final whistle but couldn’t find a way through as the Lambs held on for a hard-earned point.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Steve McNulty (C), Jon Shaw (Scott Rendell 76), Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, David Martin, Jonathan Smith, Alex Wall (Andre Gray 61), Jake Goodman, Solomon Taiwo.

Substitutes not used: Matt Robinson, Ronnie Henry, Dean Brill.

Lambs (4-4-2): Liam Mitchell, Marcus Kelly, Michael Wylde, Tom Marshall, Adam Cunnington (Kyle Perry 88), Lee Hendrie, Darren Byfield, Duane Courtney (C), Connor Gudger, Danny Lloyd (Tommy Wright 82), Jonathon Thorpe (Richard Tait 36). Substitutes not used: James Wren, Stuart Hendrie.

Booked: Martin 12; Cunnington 45.

Referee: Adam Bromley (Plymouth).

Assistant Referees: S Leaf and A Parker.

Fourth Official: G Ions.

Attendance: 5,501 (Tamworth 45).

Star Hatter: David Martin. Lively presence on both flanks as he and Howells roasted the Lambs.