Exeter City vs Luton Town FC (5th Nov 2016)

PUBLISHED 18:48 5th November 2016 Danny's the Guy again as Hatters progress to round two

EXETER CITY 1 (Reid 39)

LUTON TOWN 3 (Hylton (pen) 11, (pen) 86), Rea 71

Att: 2,972 (310 Hatters)

Top scorer Danny Hylton set the fireworks off early on Bonfire Night with a typical all-action display in Devon to help the Hatters make it nine games unbeaten in all competitions with a 3-1 Emirates FA Cup first round win over League Two rivals Exeter.

The Town hitman has been in sparkling form since making his summer switch from Oxford, and he added two more to his season’s haul by notching a penalty in each half at St James Park; one that he won himself, the second he helped create.

Typically, the 27-year-old also picked up his seventh yellow card of the campaign for a first-half clash with home keeper Bobby Olejnik, and subsequently had the home crowd on his back for most of the game. “I think they wanted to throw me on the bonfire,” he joked afterwards.

But Hylton’s firecracker of a campaign continues and, with Glen Rea’s second goal in a Hatters shirt sandwiched in between his own ninth and tenth, the striker’s contribution was once again immense as the Hatters held off a spirited fight-back from the hosts, despite being reduced to ten men when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was sent off for a second yellow card with a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

Manager Nathan Jones made three changes to the starting line-up from the 0-0 draw at Notts County, with teenage right-back James Justin returning after a three-game absence through injury, while Olly Lee and Mpanzu came into midfield.

Jack Marriott missed out with an ankle knock, while Stephen O’Donnell dropped to the bench – as originally did the Scot’s house-mate Cameron McGeehan, although the midfielder was called into the team 15 minutes before kick-off when Johnny Mullins pulled up in the warm-up with a foot injury.

Exeter had the first sight of goal with Robbie Simpson firing over, but the Hatters are used to adjusting to late changes, with an injury in the warm-up occurring three times now this season, and they were soon on the front foot.

The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Hylton was brought down in the box by Pierce Sweeney, and the Hatters striker picked himself up to chip a Panenka-style penalty down the middle of the City goal as Olejnik dived to his right.

Hylton was at the centre of the drama again in the 22nd minute when he closed the home keeper down by the corner flag on the Town right. The centre-forward nutmegged the keeper and went on a twisting run into the Grecians’ area, but couldn’t get his shot away as the home defence got back to cover.

The ball eventually found its way to Sheehan, however, but the left-back’s drive from just outside the box was deflected narrowly wide of the Grecians’ goal by Sweeney.

Hylton and Olejnik were soon into referee John Busby’s notepad, after the home keeper appeared to push the Town hitman to the ground by the advertising hoardings as he looked to retrieve the ball for a goal-kick.

They wouldn’t be alone, with Busby – who had already booked Sweeney for the foul that led to the penalty – adding Mpanzu and City midfielder Jake Taylor to his collection of names before the first half was out.

It was a half in which the Town struggled to find any rhythm and Exeter were always a threat, especially from crosses into the box. David Wheeler spurned two good chances in as many minutes from excellent deliveries from Lee Holmes on the left and Ethan Ampadu, deep on the right.

However, just after the half-hour, the Town almost went two up when Sheehan whipped in a free-kick from the right that Cook just missed. City defender Jordan Moore-Taylor didn’t though, stretching to clear and forcing Olejnik had to react smartly at his near post.

Simpson soon headed a Sweeney cross over, then six minutes before half-time the hosts were deservedly level when 16-year-old Ampadu arrowed a 20-yard shot against the post. The rebound went straight into the path of Reuben Reid, who steered it into an empty net with Walton grounded.

Within seconds of the restart, the Hatters keeper had to save well at his near post to prevent Reid from doubling his haul for the afternoon, and keep the scores level going into the break.

With neither manager making any changes at the interval, it was Exeter who came out in much the same vein as they’d finished the opening period – Holmes cutting inside onto his right foot to fire in a low shot that Walton got his body right behind.

Hylton had another chance when Cook and Mpanzu combined on the right for the latter to deliver a deep cross to the far post, but the striker’s 54th-minute shot was deflected into Olejnik’s hands.

Alex Gilliead then went on a driving run across the area, and home skipper Moore-Taylor produced a tremendous block to deny the Newcastle loanee a clear shooting opportunity as he prepared to pull the trigger.

McGeehan went close to notching his ninth of the season – and draw level with Hylton at the top of the Town scoring charts at that moment – in the 63rd minute when he met Sheehan’s inviting delivery with a flying header, but it drifted wide of the far post.

The Hatters were enjoying a good spell of pressure and with 20 minutes to go, Jones introduced Craig Mackail-Smith for his first appearance since March, when he broke his leg on another trip to Devon, at Plymouth Argyle.

And the pressure told a minute later when Mpanzu delivered a cross to the far post, where Rea met it at full stretch with his right foot, with his stabbed effort appearing to hit the post and find its way into the back of the net, possibly off Olejnik.

Within five minutes the Town were down to ten men when Mpanzu received a second yellow, somewhat harshly, after being bundled to the ground by Wheeler as the Exeter man attempted to get the ball for a free-kick conceded by Town sub Jonathan Smith. Wheeler was only booked, despite being the aggressor.

A man down, the Town defence were soon under the cosh as the hosts chased an equaliser. Holmes fired over the bar from the edge of the area with just over ten minutes to go, then he crossed for Reid, who couldn’t keep his header down, before the left winger sent a weak effort straight at Walton.

The Town were content to play on the counter, however, and despite dropping into a deeper role, Hylton had his second goal four minutes time after he carried the ball from the edge of his own box into the Exeter half and played Mackail-Smith into the area.

The Town substitute was tripped by home sub Troy Arhibald-Henville, who was surprisingly not booked, and Hylton stepped up to deliver once again, this time calmly placing the ball in the bottom corner as Olejnik dived the wrong way.

He might have completed his second hat-trick of the season moments later when he raced clear, but his shot flew high over the Hatters fans on the open terrace behind the goal and in the end, it mattered not.

Red-hot Hylton had been the Guy on fire for the Town once again, helping his side safely through to Monday’s second round draw, which will be screened live on BT Sport 1 and BBC 2 from 7pm.

TOWN: Walton, Justin (O'Donnell 87), Mullins, Cuthbert, Sheehan, Rea, Lee, Mpanzu, Cook (Mackail-Smith 70), Gilliead (Smith 62), Hylton. Subs: Gray, McGeehan, Vassell, King (GK)

Yellows: Hylton, Mpanzu, Mackail-Smith Red: Mpanzu (two yellows)

EXETER: Olejnik, Woodman, Simpson (Grant 67), Holmes, Wheeler (Archibald-Henville 83), Moore-Taylor, Taylor, Ampadu (Watkins 87), Stacey, Sweeney, Reid. Subs: Hamon (GK), James, Oakley, McAlinden.

Yellows: Sweeney, Olejnik, Taylor, Reid

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37885854

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-exeter-city-emirates-fa-cup-3399893.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xacF7bJPHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbCOEFcGisE

FA Cup, first round: Exeter City 1 Luton Town 3

Striker Danny Hylton netted twice from the penalty spot as Luton Town progressed to the second round of the FA Cup during an incident-filled contest at Exeter City this afternoon.

The forward, who was a figure of dog's abuse for the home fans all afternoon after winning what they felt was a soft spot-kick early on, held his nerve to confidently beat keeper Bobby Olejnik on both occasions and shove the jeers firmly back down the throats of City's supporters who also chanted '3-1 to the referee' at full time.

However, it wasn't as if man in the middle John Busby can be guilty of favouring the away side, as Hatters had to do it with 10 men for the final 15 minutes, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu harshly dismissed for his second yellow, despite clearly being aggressively shoved to the ground by City's David Wheeler, who was also cautioned.

Rather than just try and cling on to their 2-1 lead, Luton went for a game-sealing third and it arrived late on when the returning Craig Mackail-Smith was clipped in the area, Hylton coolly wrapping up the victory, to make it nine games unbeaten now.

Earlier, Hatters boss Nathan Jones made three changes, with Jack Marriott missing out due to an ankle injury, while Stephen O'Donnell and Cameron McGeehan dropped to the bench, with James Justin, Olly Lee and Mpanzu coming into the side.

However, for the third time this season, Luton were dealt a blow prior to kick-off, with Johnny Mullins injuring his foot during the warm-up and hobbled off, meaning Glen Rea moved into defence, with McGeehan restored to the starting line-up.

The hosts made the brighter start, with Robbie Simpson sending one shot high and wide, only for Luton to move in front on 10 minutes, with their first venture into the home side's penalty area.

Hylton was clipped by Pierce Sweeney when running on to Jordan Cook's pass, as referee Busby pointing to the spot, with the striker producing the cheekiest of chips over the diving Olejnik for his ninth goal of the season.

Town's leading scorer then had a wonderful chance midway through the half, as he dispossessed Olejnik by the corner flag, nutmegging the stranded stopper before bursting into the box, but trying to take on all the covering defenders, was eventually crowded out, with Alan Sheehan's volley deflected behind.

Despite the advantage, Hatters never looked comfortable in the opening period, dispossessed time and time again, second to almost everything, with their passing going astray, as Exeter looked dangerous every time they got the ball wide and ultimately into the box.

Boss Jones labelled it the 'worst' first half he had witnessed since taking over as the Grecians should have levelled midway through when a super break on Town's right from Lee Holmes saw the midfielder deliver an inch-perfect cross but David Wheeler glanced wide.

Highly-rated 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu then produced a glorious cross as Wheeler got up above Justin at the far post, nodding narrowly over.

Hylton picked up his seventh booking of the season, although can count himself hugely unlucky this time, as after fouling Ampadu by the byline, he was pushed over by Olejnik, with the official opting to book the Exeter keeper and Town's striker, to the delight of the baying home public.

A rare moment of pressure saw Hatters close to a second when Jordan Moore-Taylor diverted a cross goalwards, requiring Olejnik to acrobatically tip behind.

Exeter were deservedly level on 39 minutes though as Olly Lee's pass out was intercepted by the impressive Ampadu, who strolled round the Hatters midfielder's challenge.

Taking aim from 25 yards, his shot cannoned against the inside of the post, only for Reuben Reid to tap the rebound in from six yards.

The Grecians almost had an instant second, Reid beating Justin and forcing Walton into a smart stop, the loose ball just eluding Simpson, with Ampadu firing over.

Home fans howled for a second booking for Hylton for what they felt was a dive by the touch-line, as he escaped any punishment, although City's Jake Taylor didn't, rightly cautioned for simulation when going over Sheehan;s outstretched leg.

After the interval, Holmes tested Walton from outside the box, although Luton were belatedly showing signs of life, starting to get their passing game going, defending much higher up the pitch and finally enjoying some concerted possession in advanced areas.

Hylton's effort was straight at Olejnik and Gillead's shot blocked, as they almost retook the lead on the hour mark when Mpanzu found Sheehan on the wing and his excellent cross was headed just wide by McGeehan.

Town were in front on 71 minutes though when Mpanzu's superb cross from was met by Rea at the far post and his shot hit the post before rebounding into the net via Olejnik.

The officials then appeared to lose control as visiting sub Jonathan Smith was penalised for a foul, with Mpanzu picking up the ball, only to be chased by Wheeler who bundled him to the floor behind the back of the referee.

After a chat with his assistants, the Busby opted to book both players, with a distraught Mpanzu having to leave the field for his second yellow as the visiting bench went apoplectic at the fourth official, held in check by Jones in his role of peacemaker.

Exeter looked for a leveller, Holmes putting an excellent chance over, with Reid directing a header wide, before Mackail-Smith, on for his first action since March, showed he has lost none of his pace, racing on to Hylton's through ball, as he was tripped in the area by sub Troy Archibald-Henville with four minutes left.

The Grecians defender got off scot-free for his crime, but his team-mates didn't, with Hylton sending Olejnik the wrong way to reach double figures for the campaign and seal Luton's place in Monday night's second round draw.

Exeter: Bobby Olejnik, Craig Woodman, Robbie Simpson (Joel Grant 67), Lee Holmes, David Wheeler (Troy Archibald-Henville 82), Jordan Moore-Taylor (C), Jake Taylor, Ethan Ampadu (Matt Oakley 87), Jack Stacey, Pierce Sweeney, Reuben Reid.

Subs not used: James Hamon, Lloyd James, Ollie Watkins, Liam McAlinden.

Hatters: Christian Walton, James Justin (Stephen O'Donnell 87), Alan Sheehan, Scott Cuthbert (C), Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Alex Gilliead (Jonathan Smith 62), Jordan Cook (Craig Mackail-Smith 70), Cameron McGeehan, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Dan Potts, Jake Gray, Isaac Vassell.

Bookings: Sweeney 10, Hylton 28, Olejnik 28, Mpanzu 35, Taylor 45, Reid 66, Wheeler 75, Mackail-Smith 90, Grant 90.

Sent off: Mpanzu 75.

Referee: John Busby.

Attendance: 2,972 with (310 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Danny Hylton.

Jones left bemused by ‘horrific’ first half

Hatters boss Nathan Jones brandished his side’s first half display as ‘horrific’ during their 3-1 FA Cup first round win at Exeter yesterday.

Despite taking the lead through Danny Hylton’s 11th minute penalty, Luton were second best in all departments, losing possession on a number of occasions and looking increasingly jittery defensively as City hit back to equalise when Reuben Reid netted moments before half time.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “It was possibly our worst performance in a first half since I’ve been here.

“I thought we were absolutely nowhere near it in energy levels or the way we pressed.

“We showed one bit of quality from Jordan Cook in the first half with his ball and we managed to get a pen from it, but, apart from that, we were horrific.

“I wasn’t disappointed. I was bemused because that wasn’t us. I know I get an energy from my team whenever we play. Sometimes we’re not as fluent and sometimes teams frustrate us in terms of how they play, but that was nowhere near and we were lucky to go in one-all.”

City’s first goal when it came saw the impressive 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu intercept Olly Lee’s pass and unchallenged, make his way towards the box where his left-footer shot hit the post, only for Reid to tap the rebound home from close range.

On the manner in which Town conceded, Jones continued: “That was a disappointment, but if I was to list all of my disappointments from the first half we’d be here for a long time.

“We lost every header, every time they broke in the box, while, I wouldn’t say they looked like scoring, they got a head on it.

“We didn’t press, we didn’t have any energy, Glen Rea is the only one that put a tackle in in the first half.

“Danny Hylton won all his headers, but apart from those two everyone came off at half time in disappointing fashion.”

However, after a dressing down from Jones at the interval, Hatters responded with a far more committed display in the second period, wresting control back from the hosts.

Enjoying a greater territory, with the likes of Alex Gilliead coming into the game far more, it was Rea who put Town 2-1 in front, with Hylton adding another late penalty, leaving Jones satisfied with their recovery.

He continued: “In the second half we were a lot better, we were the Luton that I know. We stepped it up and I thought we thoroughly deserved it in the second half.

“We were five or six yards higher up the pitch, we stepped on to them, we pressed them when they got it, and it could have been more.

“Cameron (McGeehan) had a great chance, Danny Hylton has cut inside, so has Alex Gilliead, so we’ve had opportunities. We deserved to win in the second half, but it was a contrast in halves.

“All that I asked for was an energy. They gave it to me in the second half and they gave it to me when we were down to 10 men and I asked to be in the hat for the next round, so we’ve done it.”

Hatters boss critical of fourth official after Pelly sees red

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was critical of fourth official Mark Russell after midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was controversially sent off against Exeter City yesterday.

The 23-year-old picked the ball up when Jonathan Smith had been penalised for a foul himself, before being elbowed in the back of the head by City’s David Wheeler during his overly aggressive attempt to take a quick free kick.

After a lengthy chat with his assistants, referee John Busby opted to book both players, with Wheeler somehow avoiding a straight red, meaning Mpanzu, who had been cautioned in the first half, was dismissed for the first time in his career.

Jones said: “Pelly picked the ball up so maybe it’s a silly second but the lad has elbowed him in the back and apparently headbutted him.

“I don’t know, I didn’t see the headbutt, but I saw the elbow in the back.

“They’ve got a fourth official who reckons he hasn’t seen anything all afternoon, so I don’t know what he’s been doing, I don’t know why he came, he might as well have been shopping.

“Seriously. I can’t criticise the ref too much because he’s given us two penalties and we’ve won the game.”

When asked for his view on the incident, striker Danny Hylton said: “I thought the lad’s thrown an elbow and a headbutt at Pelly, because Pelly was stopping them getting the ball and taking a quick free-kick.

“The message on the pitch, the linesman said that the guy has thrown an elbow and a headbutt, but he didn’t make contact with Pelly, so that’s why he got the yellow card.

“I don’t know if that makes it right, but the referee is the ref. He’s qualified and I’m not. So is the linesman and that’s the decision he’s come up with.

“I think Pelly is unlucky to get sent off. I don’t think he did much, just stopped the Exeter player taking a quick free-kick.

“Play had stopped anyway, so I don’t know if he did anything wrong.

“It was a tough game, fiery, with a quick tempo, so it’s not going to be easy for the ref. They came up with their decision and that was it.”

Meanwhile, defender Glen Rea added: “I don’t want to comment on it, it’s one for the ref.

“I’m not sure, from where I’m standing I don’t think it’s a second yellow card, but the ref made a decision and we did well with 10 men.”

Rea definitely claiming Luton’s second goal

Hatters defender Glen Rea was definitely claiming his second goal for the club during this afternoon’s 3-1 FA Cup win at Exeter City.

Rea arrived at the back post to divert Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s wonderful cross goalwards on 71 minutes, with the ball cannoning off the post and appearing to go into the net after hitting goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

However, Rea was in no doubt it should go down as his strike, saying: “The gaffer, in a couple of the meetings we had in the week, he was saying that the ball lands at the back post most times a goal’s scored.

“Anyway, Scotty (Cuthbert) has told me to run round the back and I got my foot on it, it’s definitely gone down as my goal, 100 per cent.

“Hopefully anyway. It is off the post but if I don’t touch it, it’s not going in, so it’s my goal isn’t it.”

Hatters boss Nathan Jones certainly hoped that Rea, who had to slot in to the centre of defence after Johnny Mullins picked up an injury in the warm-up, will be credited with the goal that saw Luton move 2-1 in front.

He said: “I hope Glen gets it. I love that kid, as I keep saying, but I had to send him off in training on Thursday because he hasn’t had the best week in training, let’s be honest.

“But I know what I get from him, I know what I get from that kid and that’s why I love him. He should get the goal. It’s his shot, it’s point blank range. Goal.”

Meanwhile, striker Danny Hylton, who was just behind Rea had the defender missed Mpanzu’s felt it was Rea’s too, adding: “It’s a great ball in from Pelly, Glen has read the flight, got round the back stick and the gaffer has been going on for the last week or two that it’s an area where goals are scored in, on defenders’ blindside at the back stick.

“Glen has made a good run and if he wasn’t there I think I would have been there to tap it in. Glen was there and thankfully he scored and put us in the lead.”

Exeter City 1 Luton Town 3

Pantomime season came early at St James' Park as Danny Hylton's spot-kick double sealed Luton's place in the second round of the FA Cup, while the striker vied with referee John Busby for the villain role among the Exeter crowd.

"Three-one to the referee" was the deciding City fans' chant at the final whistle, while the Hatters also fell foul of the man-in-the-middle as he bizarrely sent off Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu for a 75th minute melee in which the midfielder was elbowed in the back.

Boss Nathan Jones said afterwards: "They've got a fourth official who reckons he hasn't seen anything all afternoon, so I don't know what he's been doing. I don't know why he came. He might as well have been shopping. Seriously. I can't criticise the ref too much because he's given us two pens."

The dismissal came with scoreline at 2-1 after Hylton – who resumed his own personal quest to be Bedfordshire's most-booked man, with his second caution in two games after returning from suspension – had won and cheekily converted an 11th minute penalty and Glen Rea edged the Hatters back in front.

Hylton reached double figures for the season with a second spot-kick in the 86th minute to extend Town's unbeaten run to nine games and put them in the hat for the next round.

It was a pleasing outcome because the less said about the first half, the better. Manager Jones called it "horrific". They took the lead against the run of play and that was all they did. Perhaps it was the last-minute reshuffle after Johnny Mullins got injured in the warm-up – the third time that has happened this term.

Jones said afterwards that Cameron McGeehan, who had been put on the substitutes' bench for a rest, accidentally stood on the defender's foot and, as a result, found himself restored to the starting 11 along with James Justin, Mpanzu and Olly Lee.

Rea was moved from midfield to centre half in place of Mullins, but whatever the reason, the Hatters have never, under Jones, been dispossessed as much, made more errant passes, had less of the ball or looked so shambolic at the back.

So, it came as a surprise when in Town's first real attack Hylton was fouled by Pierce Sweeney. The masked striker's finish was confidence personified and while it made him public enemy number one among the home crowd – until Mr Busby usurped him in the final act – he further cemented his place as a cult hero among the 310 travelling Town supporters. He's a wonderful nuisance.

Despite their disadvantage the hosts greedily dominated territory and deservedly levelled six minutes before the break. Sixteen-year-old Ethan Ampadu smashed the post from 20 yards, leaving Reuben Reid to tap the rebound into an empty net.

But Luton improved after the break. Hylton and Alex Gilliead both saw shots blocked and McGeehan headed wide, which all gave Town an attacking platform.

And then in the 71st minute Mpanzu – who, earlier, had been in some real discomfort after a raking challenge down his Achilles that referee Busby deemed perfectly legal – dug out a deep cross to the back post. Hylton and Rea were waiting but the midfielder-turned-defender got the point-blank touch and squeezed in off the post and Olejnik.

But then four minutes later Mpanzu was shown a second yellow card. With play stopped for a series of rough challenges, the midfielder went to pick the ball up but was elbowed in the back by Wheeler. A multi-man-melee ensured, after which the official consulted assistant Adrian Turner and then booked both men, harshly and prematurely ending Mpanzu's afternoon.

An expected Grecians siege on Town's goal was over quickly with only a Lee Holmes off-target smash to show for it – then Luton sealed it late on.

Substitute Craig Mackail-Smith – making his first appearance since breaking his leg in March – raced onto Hylton's through-ball and was tripped by freshly introduced Troy Archibald-Henville.

While Mr Busby pointed immediately to the spot, he ducked out of issuing a card to the last-man defender. It mattered little as Hylton sent Olejnik the wrong way and Luton into the next round of the cup.

"Oh no he didn't. Oh yes he did."

Exeter City: Olejnik, Woodman, Simpson (Grant, 67), Holmes, Wheeler (Archibald-Henville, 83), Moore-Taylor, Taylor, Ampadu (Watkins, 87), Stacey, Sweeney, Reid

Unused subs: Hamon, James, Oakley, McAlinden

Luton Town: Walton, Mullins, Cuthbert, Hylton, Cook (Mackail-Smith, 69), Gilliead (Smith, 62), Rea, Mpanzu, Lee, Justin (O'Donnell, 87), Sheehan

Unused subs: King, Gray, McGeehan, Vassell

Referee: John Busby

Attendance: 2,972 (310)

Luton Town: Fourth official ‘might as well have been shopping’ raps Nathan Jones

Luton boss Nathan Jones questioned why fourth official Mark Russell was even at Luton's 3-1 FA Cup win over Exeter after he failed to spot an elbow to the back of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's head, in an incident the midfielder was harshly sent off for.

The Hatter was already on a yellow card when play was stopped and he stooped to pick up the ball only to feel the force of David Wheeler's ambush. While the Hatter squared up to the City man, he didn't raise his hands and was quickly pulled away by captain Scott Cuthbert as melee ensued.

Remarkably, after referee John Busby consulted his linesman Adrian Turner, Wheeler was only shown a yellow card, as was a bemused Mpanzu, his second of the match.

Jones sought an explanation from the official nearest him on the touchline, but was left in disbelief at the response.

He said: "Pelly picked the ball up so maybe it's a silly second but the lad has elbowed him in the back and apparently headbutted him. I don't know, I didn't see the headbutt, but I saw the elbow in the back.

"They've got a fourth official who reckons he hasn't seen anything all afternoon, so I don't know what he's been doing. I don't know why he came. He might as well have been shopping. Seriously.

"I can't criticise the ref too much because he's given us two penalties and we've won the game."

Striker Danny Hylton, who scored both the spot-kicks to take his tally to ten for the season, said of the red card incident: "I thought the lad's thrown an elbow and a headbutt at Pelly, because Pelly was stopping them getting the ball and taking a quick free-kick.

"The message on the pitch... the linesman said that the guy has thrown an elbow and a headbutt, but he didn't make contact with Pelly, so that's why he got the yellow card. I don't know if that makes it right, but the referee is the ref. He's qualified and I'm not. So is the linesman and that's the decision he's come up with."

Glen Rea, who scored Town's second goal, said: "I'm not sure. From where I'm standing I don't think it's a second yellow card, but the ref made a decision and we did well with ten men. We defended really well in the second half and got the win, so I'm buzzing."

Luton Town: Nathan Jones praises 'plonker' and 'best player in the league' Danny Hylton

Luton manager Nathan Jones admitted that Danny Hylton winds up opposition fans but said that they'd all want him in their side after he scored two penalties to knock League Two rivals Exeter out of the FA Cup.

The striker also picked up his second booking in as many games after returning from a one-match suspension for an accumulation of five cautions, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was bizarrely sent off, even though he got elbowed in the back.

But Hylton was his usual self, a marvellous nuisance, which wound up Grecians fans who also hit out at referee John Busby for awarding two spot-kicks in the 3-1 triumph.

Jones said: "He gets stick from crowds but I'm telling you now, he's the best player in this league. So every crowd can give him stick and cane him but they'd swap their centre forward for Danny Hylton, I promise you that now.

"He'd been outstanding, absolutely outstanding. He's a plonker, as I keep saying, because he keeps getting silly little bookings, but, for me, he's the best player in the league."

Hylton, who now has ten goals for the season, said: "He [Jones] wasn't saying that at half time. He wasn't too happy. Everything but the best player, but I appreciate that."

In the first half, the Hatters were as bad as they've been under Jones but Hylton's first penalty put them ahead against the run of play before Ruben Reid levelled before the break. Glen Rea edged Town back in front in the second half before Hylton sealed a place in the second round late on.

After he bore the brunt of the St James' Park crowd, who have not seen a league victory on home soil all season, he said: "They might not have much to cheer about here. It seemed like the only thing they were interested in was trying to get me sent off, rather than supporting their team."

On his seventh caution of the campaign, Hylton said: "I'm a little bit of a nuisance and it drives the gaffer mad. I don't mean to get booked."

He added: "I really don't know what I did. I'd like to ask the referee but I don't quite know what I did. I just stopped them taking a quick free kick, got pushed over and somehow I've been booked for it.

"That's the way it is sometimes and maybe I should not get involved and just walk away, rather than trying to stop them taking a quick free-kick. It's the least of my worries. The main thing is that we through got though."