Hatters lose out to Bulls sucker punch

Luton Town were somehow beaten 1-0 at Hereford United tonight, despite a totally dominant display at Edgar Street, writes Mike Simmonds.

The hosts had a mere two shots on target all night, with the game resembling a training exercise of attack versus defence for long periods, but James McQuilkin’s glorious 56th-minute strike, plus the brilliance of goalkeeper James Bittner separated the sides as Luton dropped to third in the table, four points behind leaders Newport County.

Boss Paul Buckle gave an immediate debut to loan signing Jonathan Smith, who only met his new team-mates during the afternoon, while Simon Ainge returned after he was cup-tied at the weekend as JJ O’Donnell and Dan Walker dropped to the bench.

A slow start saw the visitors have the best chance on 14 minutes when Lathaniel Rowe-Turner overlapped to find Scott Rendell as his left-footer drew a fine point-blank stop from Bittner.

Hereford barely threatened in the opening 25 minutes, the closest they came was when Simon Clist’s cross deflected off Ainge, but goalkeeper Dean Brill, on his 100th Town appearance, bravely flung himself in amongst the boots to claim.

Luton remained in control of the game though as Rowe-Turner’s dinked pass set Stuart Fleetwood away and his low curler only just missed the far post.

The striker then repaid the compliment for Rowe-Turner, who drove into the side-netting, while Jake Howells powered forward and unleashed a shot that Bittner handled well.

After the break, Town almost paid the price for not switching on as Will Evans thundered a shot wide of the mark.

Town settled down though with Andre Gray slicing wildly over. His next attempt was far better as his half-volley forced another decent stop by the impressive Bittner, while Rendell’s rebound was blocked by a posse of defenders.

Another Fleetwood corner caused havoc with Janos Kovacs almost stabbing in, but Bittner again came to the Bulls’ rescue.

Completely against the run of play, Hereford had the lead on 55 minutes when McQuilkin cut in from the by-line and curled a peach of a strike past Brill and inside the post from 20 yards.

Town tried to hit back instantly as Fleetwood’s fierce effort was claimed at the second attempt by Bittner as the match reverted to its usual pattern with Luton utterly dominant in possession and the Bulls reduced to long, hopeful balls forward.

Buckle made two changes on 69 minutes, taking off a rather surprised Kovacs and Gray, for Alex Lawless and Jake Robinson as Town swapped to a more traditional 4-4-2.

The relentless stream of openings kept coming as Lawless rifled over the top, while Fleetwood tried yet another curler, which skimmed off the head of Stefan Stam and away.

Robinson was next to go close with his daisycutter parried away by Bitter, who then acrobatically caught Smith’s header.

Somehow Town weren’t level on 83 minutes as Bittner for once couldn’t hold on to a Howells’ effort and Rendell’s close range blast was adjudged to be deflected over.

Another glorious chance went begging when Lawless’ lovely dinked cross was nodded over by the back-pedalling Ainge as the closing stages grew more and more frantic.

Try as they might though, Town couldn’t get the leveller their play warranted as the hosts defended as if their lives depended on it, always first to the loose ball in their box to clear their lines.

The final whistle saw stunned Hatters troop off, almost in disbelief that their run of four away wins had been ended on a night they deserved at the very least a point, but in all honesty, the full three.

Bulls: James Bittner, Andy Gallinagh, Joe Heath, Simon Clist (Luke Graham 88), Stefan Stam (C), James McQuilkin (Brian Smikle 83), Will Evans, Sam Clucas, Ryan Bowman (Kyle Perry 46), Josh O’Keefe, Chris Todd. Substitutes not used: Dan Hanford, Phil Marsh, Brian Smikle.

Hatters: Dean Brill, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner (JJ O’Donnell 83), Janos Kovacs (Alex Lawless 69), Scott Rendell, Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, Stuart Fleetwood, Arnaud Mendy, Jonathan Smith, Ronnie Henry (C), Andre Gray (Jake Robinson 69). Substitutes not used: Mark Tyler, Dan Walker.

Referee: Peter Bankes.

Assistant Referees: Matthew Jones and Christopher Husband.

Fourth Official: Kevin Morris.Bookings: Ainge 68; Perry 90.

Attendance: 2,108 (372 Hatters).

Star Hatter: Lathaniel Rowe-Turner.