O’Connor is determined to retain penalty duties

With O’Connor on the bench, Luton’s captain had been given the spot-kick duties before kick-off but, after a brief conversation, the summer signing took over the responsibilities to net for the fourth home game running in the 1-0 win.

Assistant manager Alan Neilson explained: “Before the game we said Pilks is our penalty taker because Azza isn’t on the field of play to start with.

“Azza’s picked the ball up and put it in the back of the net. Of course we all know we’ve missed a few penalties recently but it’s pleasing to hit the net. The keeper got a hand on it but it was a great low penalty.

“Pilks was taking penalties before in the play-off final and scored and was confident to take it, but Azza got hold of the ball.

“I’m just happy to score a goal from 12 yards.”

Despite having slammed his last effort from 12 yards against the bar in the 5-0 home win over Kettering, O’Connor was never in any doubt that he wanted to retain the responsibility.

He said: “There’s been a lot of talk of penalties and the misses, etc.

“That will keep a few people quiet, probably until the next miss anyway.

“It was good to get a penalty and when I missed the one against Kettering I said I would happily step up and take the next one. I have no problem taking it, I was confident taking it like I was the other ones.

“I knew I was going to go that way and that I was going to go with power. It would have to be a pretty good save to save with laces and pretty much side netting as well.”

O’Connor shed light on the conversation he and Pilkington shared before his successful strike, saying: “It was the first I heard of it (Pilkington taking them).

“I said if we get another penalty I wanted to take it and no-one really said anything.

“So as soon as we got the pen I got the ball straightaway and I was ready to take it. I heard someone shout at me and I turned around and I’ve seen him trotting up from the back and I thought here we go...

“So we had a little discussion and he was like hold on are you sure you want it and I said I’ll take it.

“(He said) Are you going to score, make sure you score. And I was like, don’t worry I’ve got you. He goes, make sure you score mate and I was like OK cool.

“That was it. We just had a little chat, a little laugh, it was quite funny to be fair.

“Being a manager or someone watching I wouldn’t really care as long as they scored to be honest.

“Speaking as the way things are, you would probably want an attacking player or someone used to hitting the back of the net taking it.

“As long as they score I don’t think the fans care. If the keeper Pilks’ had taken it and scored I don’t think anyone would be bothered.”

Fellow striker Danny Crow, who has also missed from the spot this season, was delighted to see the penalty converted but remains interested in the penalty-taking duties.

He added: “Azza came on and he’s a very confident lad anyway and at penalties he is very good.

“We all have faith in him, he missed the last one but...

“You know our luck with penalties at the minute but at least he scored and the main thing is we got three points.

“Pilks came up, Pilks’ penalty in the play-off final was one of the best penalties.

“He is a leader around the place and everyone looks up to him. He’s not the most vocal captain, but he leads by example by his performances and he is getting better and better.

“I’ve missed, Jake’s missed, Azza’s missed, Amari’s missed. Adam won the penalty, he makes forward runs all day long, and Azza scored so that’s nice.

“Azza wanted it. If need be I will take it. I’m confident I could take it, but Azza wanted it.”