Ten-man Hatters suffer controversial defeat

A massively frustrating afternoon for the Hatters saw 10-man Town go down to a 1-0 defeat at Southport on the opening day of the Skrill Premier League at Haig Avenue today, writes Mark Wood.

Jamie Milligan’s hugely deflected free-kick midway through the first half proved decisive, while skipper Steve McNulty was sent off shortly before the hour when, following the most innocuous of challenges on Luke George, he was sent off for supposedly kicking out.

Luton improved in the second half after a lacklustre first, but their misery was compounded when substitute Andre Gray was fouled in the box late on by George, with the last man only receiving a caution, and former Southport winger Shaun Whalley then saw his penalty saved by keeper Danny Hurst as his former club held out for a hard-fought victory.

Town had been dealt a blow before kick-off as captain Ronnie Henry and striker Jon Shaw were both ruled out through injury as Jonathan Smith started at right-back with summer signing Mark Cullen leading the line and Jake Howells playing just in behind.

It took a while for the game to get going as Chris Almond robbed Smith on eight minutes but Danny Hattersley could only direct his header wide.

Having been on the backfoot Luton finally threatened three minutes later when Luke Guttridge’s fine raking ball out of defence released Whalley on the right, but his chipped cross was just out of the reach of Cullen at the far post.

A series of questionable refereeing decisions went Southport’s way and culminated with the hosts taking the lead on 22 minutes when skipper Milligan’s 20-yard free-kick took a massive deflection off the wall and looped past the wrong-footed Mark Tyler.

And the Sandgrounders went close again moments later when Almond again beat Smith and squared for Hattersley who slid straight at Tyler.

The blue touch paper was almost lit on 33 minutes when McNulty ushered Hattersley and the ball into touch before the pair went head-to-head, but only a warning for both from the official was forthcoming.

The Hatters finally started to respond as Cullen was unable to get enough on David Martin’s cross and Whalley’s bash from a narrow angle was well battered away by Hurst in the Southport goal.

Winger Almond was a constant threat for the hosts as Solomon Taiwo was booked for a poor challenge on the wideman with Milligan firing just wide from the resulting free-kick.

It was a disjointed first half display from Luton as Scott Brown whistled over from range and Milligan curled another free-kick just wide as the decisions continued to flow Southport’s way.

Southport made the better start to the second half too as Hattersley got clear four minutes in but could only skew harmlessly wide.

Matty Challoner fired through McNulty’s legs but his effort was well saved by Tyler before Town’s skipper was sent off at the other end moments later for allegedly kicking out at George following an aerial tussel. As a result Anthony Charles replaced Martin to shore up the Luton defence as Guttridge too was booked.

The hosts continued to force the game as Paul Rutherford fired straight at Tyler on the hour, while Cullen did well to clear the danger with the ball pin-balling around in the box on 63 minutes.

Town should have levelled with 16 minutes to go when Lacey, making his first league start, chipped the ball forward and centre-half Matty Flynn inadvertently headed it into Gray’s path, but Town’s top scorer from last season could only skew wide when one-on-one with the keeper when he should have scored.

Brown threatened at the other end but his effort was easy for Tyler before Luton wasted an even better chance of an equaliser from the spot on 75 minutes.

Gray raced on to a long ball over the top and George’s desperate lunge sent him tumbling as the referee pointed to the spot but only brandished a yellow card to the last man.

However, Hurst guessed the right way as he palmed away Whalley’s spot-kick before twice saving follow-ups from Smith. And when the ball was finally squared for Whalley in the six-yard box Brown was in the right place to clear off the line.

Southport went close to sealing victory in the closing stages as Lacey was robbed at the back, but substitute Yamen Osawe ovverran the opportunity.

A jinking run by the impressive Almond saw him lay it on a plate for sub Karl Ledsham in the last minute but he somehow rolled wide, while Steven Tames’ blast was beaten away by Tyler with Osawe dragging the follow-up past the post.

Town forced a series of corners at the death but couldn’t net an equaliser as Lacey’s header flew wide as Town made a disappointing start to this season’s new campaign.

Sandgrounders (4-2-3-1): Danny Hurst, Matty Challoner, Matty Flynn, Luke George, David Fitzpatrick, Jamie Milligan (C), Scott Brown, Aaron Chalmers (Karl Ledsham 81), Paul Rutherford (Yamen Osawe 88), Chris Almond, Danny Hattersley (Steven Tames 85). Substitutes not used: David Stevenson, Steve Akrigg.

Hatters (4-4-1-1): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty (C), Solomon Taiwo (Andrew Parry 72), Jake Howells (Andre Gray 46), Scott Griffiths, Mark Cullen, David Martin (Anthony Charles 58), Luke Guttridge, Shaun Whalley, Alex Lacey. Substitutes not used: Elliot Justham, Matt Robinson.

Booked: Taiwo 37; Guttridge 58; George 75.

Sent Off: McNulty 56.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

Assistant Referees: Barry Lamb and Anthony Moore.

Fourth Official: David McNamara.

Attendance: 2,210 (Hatters 839).

Star Hatter: Luke Guttridge. Combative midfielder battled hard throughout.