Hatters youngsters fall to Millwall defeat

With Jemale McKenzie-Lowe, Jordan Davis and Zane Banton resting knocks, boss Paul Driver gave a first start to U15 Ollie Cole in attack along with Arel Amu and Leeroy Maguraushe.

Town were ahead after 12 minutes when Zak Stephens’ free-kick caused uncertainty in the Lions box and Jerome Jibodu looped home his fourth goal in five games.

Hatters keeper Ben Barnes made a neat save as Town went into the break 1-0 in front, but Millwall levelled on 63 minutes when Connor Callaghan gave Barnes no chance.

Charlie Smith and Alasan Ann, both making their return from injury, replaced Cole and Ian Rees with Ann coming close from two driving runs.

The Lions upped the pressure though and netted an 86th-minute winner when Will De Havilland headed home.

Afterwards, Driver said: “We did pretty well in the first half, and felt we were just about worth our lead.

“In the second half we stopped doing the things that had worked in the first half and gave them too much time.

“ You cannot defend as many corners as we had to without them creating chances and that’s where the winner came from.

“I’m more annoyed with the first goal because we’ve worked hard on set ups against throws and out set up was a mess.”

Hatters: Barnes, Stephens, Jibodu (C), Nash, Ferguson, Chabata, Amu, Burtenshaw, Maguraushe, Cole (Ann 60), Rees (Smith 60). Substitutes not used: Feltwell, Ngwala