Hatters slump to Wrexham defeat

Blue Square Bet Premier

Luton Town 0 Wrexham 1

POOR Hatters fell eight points behind Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Wrexham after an uninspiring defeat at Kenilworth Road last night, writes Mike Simmonds.

A hugely frustrating evening saw Mathia Pogba’s 73rd minute strike decide the encounter for the visitors who displayed some downright shocking time wasting throughout.

Luton could have no complaints about suffering their second home defeat of the season though, as they showed an alarming lack of creativity, failing to create one single clear-cut opportunity.

Hatters made one change as leading scorer Amari Morgan-Smith missed out with injury, but Aaron O’Connor was fit to take his place upfront.

New signing Tommy Wright was on the bench and Luton threatened first as James Dance spun his man before unleashing a daisy cutter that was held at full stretch by Joslain Mayebi.

The Red Dragons then fashioned a fine chance when Curtis Obeng escaped Robbie Willmott’s attentions, but dragged wide on the angle with just Mark Tyler to beat.

A poor first half never sparked into life, but Keith Keane tried to take the match by the scruff of the neck, driving through the midfield only to see his left footer blocked by a posse of defenders.

Wrexham almost launched an astonishing counter attack as Mayebi rolled the ball to Adrian Cieslewicz who ran the entire length of the pitch, bursting through weak challenges from Willmott and Keane, but scuffed his shot wide.

After the break, Shane Blackett had to scramble back and block Cieslewicz’s low effort as the Red Dragons started brightly.

Luton tried to get the crowd going with a neat passing move involving Keane and Stuart Fleetwood, but Mayebi easily saved Dance’s low shot.

Finally the game showed signs of coming to life as Obeng raced 70 yards to feed Mathias Pogba whose turn and shot was gathered by Tyler.

Keane’s long ranger was clung on to at the second attempt by Mayebi, while Cieslewicz showed great control in the Hatters area, but volleyed over the bar.

Town had their best opportunity on 59 minutes when Howells’ corner found the unmarked Janos Kovacs only for the on-loan defender to plant his free header disappointingly over.

The home faithful were screaming for a penalty on 64 minutes when George Pilkington was wrestled to the floor in the area, but nothing was given.

Moments afterwards, Mayebi indulged in some crazy delaying tactics with over 20 minutes to play, rightly earning the barracking from the Kenilworth Road end.

New signing Wright replaced Fleetwood just after the hour, but Wrexham had the breakthrough on 73 minutes when a ball over the top saw Pilkington slip at the fatal moment and with Tyler hesitating, Pogba nipped in to slide the ball home.

Shortly after, the goalscorer then feigned injury for a good minute but as play went on, he sheepishly got to his feet to rejoin play, before a mini brawl saw both Dean Keates and Dance booked.

Late on, Jamie Tolley could have settled the match, as Tyler made a fine one-handed block and Pogba blasted the rebound well over, but they had already done enough.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Keith Keane, George Pilkington, Robbie Willmott, Shane Blackett, Stuart Fleetwood (Tommy Wright 66), Aaron O’Connor (John Paul Kissock 79), Jake Howells, Curtis Osano, James Dance, Janos Kovacs.

Subs not used: Jamie Hand, Adam Watkins, Kevin Pilkington.

Attendance: 7,270 (away 239).

Referee: W Barratt.

Booked: Howells 38, Keates 75, Dance 75.

Star Hatter: Keith Keane - gave his all throughout.