Still concedes it was a mistake to play McNulty

Hatters boss John Still admitted it was the wrong decision to play captain Steve McNulty during Easter Monday’s 2-1 home defeat to Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Kidderminster Harriers, writes Mike Simmonds.

The skipper was taken off after just 39 minutes of the clash as Still said: “I took a gamble on playing McNulty and knew after about 15 minutes we shouldn’t have done but we were struggling for numbers.

“I was touch and go whether to play him and to be fair he said, listen, if you want me to play I’ll play.

“So we thought we’d go to half time and have a look, but he was struggling. Maybe I should have taken him off before then, but there you go.”

With Town trailing 1-0, McNulty was involved heavily in Kidderminster’s second goal as he went to ground under a challenge from striker Anthony Malobon, who then raced away to round Mark Tyler and score.

Still continued: “It looked a foul, but I don’t want to moan about that now. It’s gone, he (referee K Johnson) didn’t give it and there’s nothing we could do about it.”

The injury to McNulty saw Luton never at their best defensively in the first half as new signing Scott Griffiths make his Luton debut at left back, a decision that Still was hoping not to have to make just yet.

“He said: “I didn’t want to play Scott Griffiths either and we weren’t as disciplined at the back in the first 30 minutes.

“We’ve been good around the box, that’s been a plus, but it was a sloppy goal to give away.”

On the game itself, Still felt that Harriers deserved their victory, but warned his side they must learn to convert their chances as Scott Rendell hit the post and then dragged another glorious chance wide.

He said: “I thought they deserved to win. I thought we had good moments in the game and I was disappointed to be two down at half time.

“Second half was a bit more even, but we’ve got to make the most of those chances particularly against the best sides.

“(Mark) Tyler made a good save, but apart from the goals, they were the two best chances of the first half if not the game and we have to do better with those, but we didn’t.

“We tinkered second half and gradually got up a head of steam, hit the bar again and got the goal, but it wasn’t quite enough.”

Harriers boss Steve Burr was thrilled with the success as his side beat Luton for the first time in their history.

He added: “We’re delighted to have won here, it’s a difficult place to come.

“The first half performance was excellent, second half we did a professional job keeping Luton to not many chances really.

“We had a little bit of luck with the ball coming back off bar in the first half and second half, but I thought it was a good, thoroughly professional job. I’m delighted too as it’s the first time I’ve managed to beat Luton.”

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