Pilkington penalty helps Hatters grind out Alfreton victory

A THUNDEROUS penalty from skipper George Pilkington ensured Luton ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Alfreton in the first-ever competitive meeting between the two teams at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Town missed several chances to enhance their winning margin as they were forced to work hard by the dogged Blue Square Bet strugglers who frustrated them for long periods.

The win means the Hatters are now unbeaten in their last 12 league games, with seven victories, as they continue in their bid to catch the top two.

Town made two changes from the team that was held to a goalless home draw by Mansfield on Wednesday night. Mark Tyler replaced Kevin Pilkington between the sticks as he dropped to the bench, while Craig McAllister was handed his first start and winger Robbie Willmott was recalled to the starting XI. That meant Aaron O’Connor dropped to the bench, while top scorer Amari Morgan-Smith was again ruled out with a hamstring injury.

A scrappy and frustrating opening saw little created and it took Town until the 17th minute to have their first real effort but Alex Lawless’ long range drive was easily held by former Town target Daniel Lowson.

And Alfreton almost snatched the lead moments later when Nathan Arnold jinked past Dan Gleeson and his low effort was deflected over the bar by Janos Kovacs.

Anton Brown was booked as he lunged in two-footed towards Jake Howells before the game was finally shocked out of its stupor on 25 minutes.

McAllister did well outside the box and his tame low effort was spilled by Lowson. Crow was first on the loose ball and teed up Greg Taylor, but his shot was blocked by one of two players on the line and Leigh Franks deflected Howells’ follow-up round the post.

Brown, Jarman and Jamie Mullan whistled miles wide of the mark, while Town lacked intensity as their fourth game in eight days took its toll on a heavy pitch.

Kovas could only head Howells’ corner wide with 11 minutes of the half left before Town did take the lead from the spot.

Welsh U21 Howells put Willmott through and as Lowson tried to spread himself at his feet he caught the winger’s dangling foot and referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot. Up stepped skipper George Pilkington and he unceremoniously hammered home down the middle.

Buoyed by this Luton went close again on 40 minutes. Taylor cut in with purpose from the left and fed Crow, but his curler was heavily deflected into Lowson’s grasp.

The Luton left-back then pivoted well on the edge of the box, but his shot was easy for Lowson.

Alfreton went close when Arnold’s thumping left-foot volley fizzed past the post on the stroke of half time, before Luton wasted a glorious chance to double their lead seconds later.

Howells’ first-time pass sent McAllister clean through, but with time and just Lowson to beat, he somehow contrived to loft his effort miles over the bar.

Both sides made changes at the break, Stuart Fleetwood coming on for Crow and Connor Franklin replacing Franks for the visitors.

The Reds started the second half on the front foot, applying most of the pressure without really threatening Tyler’s goal.

McAllister’s forceful run ended with him lofting the ball over to Willmott, but his shot was deflected over, while Godfrey Poku was introduced for the ineffective Watkins.

Jake Moult almost shocked Kenilworth Road when his long-range snapshot bounced just wide of the far post, while Fleetwood’s fine first touch and opportunistic strike was easy for Lowson at the other end.

It was proving to be another frustrating half as Poku was booked for a tug and O’Connor replaced Willmott with the result still very much in the balance.

Howells’ cross was deflected just out of the reach of McAllister before the big man headed Dan Gleeson’s centre well over the bar.

Lawless drove across the face of goal with five minutes left, but found now takers as Howells’ effort at the far post ran well wide.

Kovacs gave away a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area with three minutes to go, but Josh Law could only thump into the wall as Luton survived.

Good work by Lawless saw him fashion a shooting chance for Taylor but his low near post effort was saved before Town broke in numbers in the last minute as Howells laid it across to McAllister but the keeper flung out a foot to save.

Three minutes were added and Town almost made it two, but Fleetwood’s strike flashed across the face of goal and McAllister struck wide as Luton held out for a hard-fought victory.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Dan Gleeson, Greg Taylor, George Pilkington (C), Alex Lawless, Craig McAllister, Danny Crow (Stuart Fleetwood 46), Robbie Willmott (Aaron O’Connor 73), Jake Howells, Adam Watkins (Godfrey Poku 64), Janos Kovacs. Substitutes not used: John Paul Kissock, Kevin Pilkington.

Reds (4-5-1): Daniel Lowson, Theo Streete, Greg Young (C), Anton Brown, Jake Moult, Nathan Arnold (Paul Clayton 56), Leigh Franks (Connor Franklin 46), Nathan Jarman, Jamie Mullan (Josh Law 85), Craig Clay, Darran Kempson. Substitutes not used: Matt Wilson, Anthony Wilson.

Bookings: Brown 20; Poku 73.

Referee: Tim Robinson (Bognor Regis).

Assistant Referees: M Mellor and A Gillett.

Fourth Official: G Taylor.

Attendance: 5,658 (89 Alfreton).

Star Hatter: Janos Kovacs. Repelled everything Alfreton could throw at the Hatters.