Luton Town FC vs Leyton Orient (14th Apr 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:37 14th April 2017 Hatters held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened O's

LUTON TOWN 2 (Hylton 33, Vassell 73)

LEYTON ORIENT 2 (Kelly (pen) 55, Abrahams 61)

Att: 8,601 (380 away)

The Hatters were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Leyton Orient at Kenilworth Road this afternoon as Nathan Jones’ side failed to record a third successive league win for the first time this season.

Danny Hylton had given the Town a first-half lead with his 25th goal of the campaign just after the half-hour, but the bottom-of-the-table side put their off-field problems to one side to take a 2-1 lead by the 61st minute with Liam Kelly’s penalty and substitute Tristan Abrahams’ neat finish.

The Hatters maintained fourth position in the table, however, and a six-point cushion above the play-off chasing pack thanks to a 73rd-minute equaliser by a sub of their own, Isaac Vassell, and – just as crucially – a point-saving challenge by James Justin as Orient’s Josh Koroma raced clear in injury-time.

Looking to build on successive 1-0 wins at home to Blackpool and away at Barnet last week, Jones made two changes to the starting line-up, recalling fit-again midfielder Jordan Cook and striker Jack Marriott, with Stephen O’Donnell and Vassell dropping to bench.

With the young Orient side starting in defensive mode, it was always going to be a case of trying to prise the openings and after a cagey first ten minutes, both Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Cook flashed balls across the six-yard box, Lawson D’Ath heading off target in between when Hylton was steaming in behind him.

The O’s strung an attacking move together in the 14th minute when Michael Collins sent in a right-wing cross that Victor Adeboyejo – who scored against the Hatters’ development squad earlier in the season – headed well over the bar.

But the action soon swung to the other end, and captain Scott Cuthbert – playing against his former club – had a double effort deflected over the bar from a right-wing corner, then Glen Rea met the next one with a firm header that keeper Sam Sargeant did well to keep out.

Taking those corners would be virtually Cook’s last involvement, the ex-Walsall man suffering an injury as he attempted to whip another right-wing cross in midway through the first half, eventually to be replaced by Luke Gambin.

With the half-hour mark approaching, Sheehan and Olly Lee attempted something different from a left-wing corner, the Irishman drilling the ball to last week’s winning goalscorer on the edge of the penalty area, but his volleyed attempt flew well wide.

By the 33rd minute, Lee had impacted the game even more – winning the ball halfway inside the Town half by the left touchline, then picking Hylton out with a beautiful clip over the top of the Orient defence.

The Hatters’ top scorer doesn’t need any second invitations to race clear, and just as the Orient centre-half Aron Pollock looked to be catching him, Hylton slipped the ball past the onrushing Sargeant left-footed, into the bottom far corner of the net to give Town the lead.

Sargeant prevented the lead being doubled in the 41st minute when D’Ath and Marriott combined on the right to tee up Gambin, who let fly with a rocket that Sargeant turned over the bar.

Two minutes later the visiting keeper produced another fine save to deny Gambin, this time a left-footed volley from a Hylton knock-down, before Marriott let a flick-on from D’Ath run across his body, but couldn’t keep his 15-yard shot on the turn down with the half-time whistle about to be blown.

Orient had the first shot on goal in the second period, Michael Collins’ 20-yard free-kick, after Cuthbert had brought Adeboyejo down, curled low around the wall, but Stuart Moore equal to it after being a virtual spectator for the first 50 minutes.

Seconds later the on-loan Reading keeper had to get his body right behind a piledriver from Adeboyejo, then – with 54 minutes on the clock – he was picking the ball out of his net.

The Hatters failed to clear the danger from the left and Henry Ochieng’s 25-yar shot struck Rea on the arm – the centre-half booked for his troubles – and captain Liam Kelly despatched the spot-kick into the top corner.

The Hatters looked to regain the advantage and in the 59th minute Lee found Hylton with another raking pass over the top, and when the striker laid the ball back for the marauding Sheehan, another low cross-shot flew across the six-yard box and beyond the far post.

Orient’s tails were up, however, and they had the lead when Abrahams tricked his way into the Town area and slipped the ball low past Moore for 2-1.

Jones threw Vassell on for Marriott in the 66th minute, and seven minutes later the ex-Truro man raced onto Hylton’s flick around the corner and coolly slotted home past the onrushing Sargeant for the equaliser.

Soon after the restart the front duo almost combined to great effect again, Hylton heading a deep cross back across goal but the climbing Cornishman couldn’t keep his own header down from close range.

Just after Jones had withdrawn Mpanzu and thrown Jake Gray into the fray, Rea tried to get on the end of a Vassell knock-down from Sheehan’s cross in the 86th minute, but Sargeant gathered, then James Justin headed a centre from Gambin over the bar as he looked to end a move he’d started in the middle of the Orient half.

With a minute to go, D’Ath tried his luck from distance but dragged his right-footed shot wide, then the Town had two huge shouts for a penalty when Isaac Vassell went down under challenges from Mezague and Pollock, but both times referee Brett Huxtable waved the appeals away.

The Town might still have lost it when substitute Josh Koroma raced clear in injury-time, but Justin got back to produce a point-saving tackle and keep things as they were points-wise – third-placed Portsmouth still eight points above the Hatters and the play-off chasers six points behind.

Now it’s on to face one of them, Mansfield Town, on Monday.

TOWN: Moore, Justin, Cuthbert ©, Rea, Sheehan, Lee, Mpanzu (Gray 85), D’Ath, Cook (Gambin 24), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 66). Subs: O’Donnell, Potts, Smith, King (GK)

Yellows: Gambin, Cuthbert

ORIENT: Sargeant, Kelly ©, Collins, Mezague, Semedo, Pollock, Adeboyejo, Dalby (Abrahams 46), Alzate (Koroma 80), Ochieng (Moncur 88), Clark. Subs: Grainger, Liburd, Alderson, Happe

Yellows: Ochieng, Sargeant

REFEREE: Brett Huxtable

PUBLISHED 18:23 14th April 2017 The assistant boss gives his verdict on the draw with the O's

Town assistant-manager Paul Hart was left frustrated as the Hatters couldn’t carry on their first half dominance into the second period as they drew 2-2 with Leyton Orient this afternoon. Striker Danny Hylton gave the Town the lead with his 25th goal of the season after a superb pass from Olly Lee, before Orient took the lead with two goals in six second-half minutes, with the score brought level by substitute Isaac Vassell. The result leaves Town in fourth, eight points short of third-placed Portsmouth and eight points clear of Blackpool in eighth.

Hart said: “I thought we dominated the first half. I think overall we needed another goal in that first half to cement the dominance. But Leyton Orient did extremely well, with a young side, and I think we contributed to our own downfall in the second half. We didn’t start brightly enough and we paid a price for it. The previous two games we have kept clean sheets and we are feeling more and more confident of keeping a clean sheet. But we always felt we could have done with another one.

“I don’t think we could have been begrudged a second goal in that first half dominance. But, the game is 90 minutes and plus and so you have to perform for that length of time, and I don’t suppose we did.”

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-league-two-leyton-orient-3674359.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0qNPSSgUNM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4VwBGM_zEE

League Two: Luton Town 2 Leyton Orient 2

Luton Town's consistently inconsistent season continued once more as they were held to a draw against relegation certainties Leyton Orient this afternoon.

Going into the match, everything pointed towards a comfortable 90 minutes' work for Nathan Jones' side, who were looking to win a third game in succession for the first time this campaign, against a team clinging on to their League Two status by a thread.

The O's, who are besieged for off-field problems, turned up on the back of a six match losing streak with pretty much their youth team, as a run of 13 defeats from 16 in the new year has put them on the precipice at the bottom of the table.

The east London side could have been relegated this afternoon too, had results gone against them, and it looked like would hold up their end of the bargain, once Danny Hylton put the hosts in front.

However, the inability to notch a second, coupled with a desperately poor start after the break cost Luton dearly, as O's scored twice to threaten a shock win, with Town having to rely on a leveller from substitute Isaac Vassell to ensure a point.

The hosts made two changes for the clash from last weeks' 1-0 win at Barnet, Jack Marriott and Jordan Cook in for Stephen O'Donnell and Vassell who dropped to the bench.

Although Town bossed possession and territory early on, they struggled to create anything of a clear-cut nature, Lawson D'Ath's header drifting wide and Cook's cross flashing across the six yard box.

Despite being under the cosh, it was Orient who manufactured the best opportunity, Victor Adeboyejo directing a header over the top.

Unusually, it was from a corner that Hatters looked the most likely to score from, Scott Cuthbert's attempt bravely deflected over by Liam Kelly, while from D'Ath's second delivery, Glen Rea's header was well handled by Sam Sargeant.

Midway through the first half, Cook's return was cut short, as he stayed down after a full blooded sliding challenge and had to hobble off, with Luke Gambin on in his place.

Town then went ahead with a wonderful goal on 33 minutes, made possible by a superb piece of play from the resurgent Olly Lee.

The midfielder won the ball back in his own half, looked up, and sent Hylton clear with an inch-perfect pass over the top.

Hatters' leading scorer still had plenty to do, but as he has done all season, he did it with aplomb, taking the ball out of the sky instantly, and racing away to coolly Sargeant for his 25th in all competitions.

It also meant Hylton become the first Luton player to reach the milestone of 20 goals in a Football League season since Steve Howard managed the feat in the 2002-03 campaign.

Town looked for an immediate second, Sheehan's free kick blocked by the wall, with Lawson D'Ath's follow up easy for Sargeant.

Luton then finally upped their tempo, looking like a side hungry for more, as Gambin powered an effort goalwards, a startled Sargeant turning his left-footer over more by luck than judgement.

Sheehan's set-pieces were causing constant problems, with one almost turned into their own net by the visiting defenders, while from another, Gambin was denied again, his strike drawing an excellent block from Sargeant.

Marriott then almost had his first goal since January, using his body well to spin his man, inside the area, only to miss the top corner.

After the break, Os looked like they might make Town pay for their late first half profligacy, with Michael Collins free kick pounced on by Stuart Moore, who then had to handle Adeboyejo's fierce 20-yarder.

Town just couldn't awake from their slumbers and O's were level on 53 minutes, when a poor throw by Hylton just over the half way line was the catalyst to some calamitous defending.

Lee's hooked clearance didn't get enough distance and Collins' fierce drive flew into Rea, whom referee Brett Huxtable adjudged to have used his hands with which to repel the shot, awarding a penalty.

Kelly stepped up and rifled beyond Moore for his side's first goal in three games as they sensed an unlikely victory.

Sheehan's angled attempt flew inches wide, before Hatters went to sleep at the back once more, and although Rea's block was this time deemed legal, they were sliced open moments later, with half time sub Tristan Abrahams beating Moore from close range.

Jones responded by bringing on Vassell for Marriott after 66 minutes and it was the replacement who did the trick within five minutes, latching on to Hylton's header to show a cool head and slot beyond Sargeant.

That gave Luton 16 minutes to force a winner in their bid to apply even more pressure on Portsmouth, who had been held by Plymouth, D'Ath cutting in from the flank to miss the target from 20 yards.

Late on, Vassell had two huge shouts for a penalty, both against Teddy Mezague, with the second looking a clear-cut spot kick as Town's game-changer was tripped, only for the officials to award a corner.

Orient could, and should have then won it in stoppage time, when Josh Koroma burst clear from half way, only for James Justin to sprint back and time his challenge to perfection, ensuring the damage was just a corner.

Results elsewhere saw Town maintain their six point buffer over eighth-placed Blackpool with four matches to go, a gap they will be hoping to increase or at the very least maintain, when visiting Mansfield on Easter Monday.

Hatters: Stuart Moore, James Justin, Scott Cuthbert, Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan, Olly Lee, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Jake Gray 85), Lawson D'Ath, Jordan Cook (Luke Gambin 24), Jack Marriott (Isaac Vassell 66), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jonathan Smith, Stephen O'Donnell, Dan Potts.

Orient: Sam Sargeant, Liam Kelly (C), Michael Collins, Teddy Mezague, Sandro Semedo, Aron Pollock, Victor Adeboyejo, Sam Dalby (Tristan Abrahams 46), Steven Alzate (Josh Koroma 80), Henry Ochieng (Freddy Moncur 88), Michael Clark.

Subs not used: Charlie Grainger, Rowan Liburd, Sam Alderson, Dan Happe.

Booked: Gambin 44, Rea 54, Ochieng 67, Sargeant 73, Cuthbert 81.

Attendance: 8,601 (380 Orient).

Referee: Brett Huxtable.

Hart laments Town's approach to the second half during O's draw

Hatters assistant boss Paul Hart felt that Luton contributed to their own downfall during a hugely disappointing 2-2 draw against basement side Leyton Orient yesterday.

The hosts had gone into the break 1-0 ahead courtesy of Danny Hylton’s 25th of the season, before conceding twice in the space of eight second half minutes to find themselves staring down the barrel of a shock defeat.

However, Isaac Vassell came off the bench to rescue a point, as Hart said: “Leyton Orient, they played extremely well with a young side, but think we contributed to our own downfall in the second half.

"We didn't start the second half brightly enough and we paid the price for that.

“We contributed to the uplift in their performance, I’ve got to be honest, our approach to the second half was not as good as the first.”

On just what had changed during the interval team talk, Hart said: “Not a lot, we asked them to deal with the basics, get the headers in, get on the front foot, the way we started the game.

“I think we messed around with the ball early part of the second half, we didn’t get good clearances, hooked the ball into our box, and it contributes to what we enabled Leyton Orient to do to us.”

Hatters had dominated the first half in terms of possession and territory, and should have led by more at the break, with Luke Gambin twice denied by Sam Sargeant and Jack Marriott firing over too.

Hart continued: “I thought we dominated the first half and then needed another goal to cement the dominance.

"The previous two games we've kept clean sheets and we're feeling more and more confident of keeping a clean sheet. But we always felt we could do with another one and I don't think we could have been begrudged a second goal in that first half dominance.

"But the game is 90 minutes and plus and you have to perform for that length of time and I don't suppose we did.”

After successive victories by playing with three centre halves, Luton boss Nathan Jones opted to revert to his diamond formation against the O’s and on why that was the case, Hart continued: “We felt we could get forward a bit more.

“We were slightly disappointed at Barnet with our lack of penetration, we felt the system contributed to that.

“But whichever system we turn out, we’ved played a number of ways, 4-4-2 in the second half as well.

“We feel confident we can cope with whatever system we played with, we felt we could penetrate a little bit more, and I think first half said to us, it was probably the right system to play.”

Hart confirms Hylton may be rested to avoid suspension

Hatters assistant boss Paul Hart admits that star striker Danny Hylton might have to be managed during the final four games of the season after being on what he described as a disciplinary ‘knife-edge’.

Luton’s leading scorer is currently on 13 bookings for the campaign and should be pick up two more, he will serve an automatic three match suspension, which would include any play-off fixtures.

Although Hylton, who proved just how vital he is to Town’s push for League One with his 25th goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient this afternoon, avoided seeing yellow, Hart knows they might have to take him out of the firing line soon.

He said: “He’s been pretty good over the past month and a half, two months.

“He gained one last week (at Barnet), and I think we’ll probably look at each game as it comes, see where we are, see what’s happening and make decisions accordingly, but it’s a knife-edge for us.

“Equally he is, in my opinion, the best centre forward in the league and it would be a hard job leaving him out at any time.

“But the play-offs are important and it’s a consideration we have to take.”

The striker himself admitted he can’t change his style just because he is so close to being banned for the third time this season, but would begrudgingly accept being rested should boss Nathan Jones decide to do so.

He said: “You can’t look at it. I get reminded of course, the gaffer says ‘don’t get booked, don’t get booked,’ but when you’re out there, you can’t not tackle someone or not track someone or not do things because you’re scared of getting a booking.

“Obviously don’t do anything silly, but I'm probably paying the price for a few silly bookings early on in the season.

“I want to play every game of course. But if we’ve cemented our place in the play-offs and he (Jones) said ‘I’m not going to risk you because I want you ready for the play-offs,’ then I’d have to accept that.

“I don’t want that to happen, I’d love to go from now until the end of the season without getting a booking but he’s the gaffer, it’s his decision and he’ll do what he thinks is best.”

Hart knows just how tough a call it would be, as he added: "What he does on the football pitch, I’ve never worked with anyone like him and I’ve worked with Premiership players.

"He’s a handful all day long and great enthusiast as well, so we’re very lucky to have him."

Hylton: Automatic promotion ship has sailed now

Hatters striker Danny Hylton conceded that Town’s chances of going up automatically are over now after they drew 2-2 with doomed Leyton Orient at Kenilworth Road yesterday.

With third placed Portsmouth held 1-1 at home by Plymouth, then victory for Luton would have seen them close the gap to a still difficult to overcome six points with four games to go.

It looked like they were on course to do so once Hylton bagged a 25th of the season in the first period, but O’s, who will more than likely be relegated on Easter Monday, hit back to lead 2-1.

Sub Isaac Vassell came off the bench to salvage a point, but with Hatters remaining eight points adrift of their south coast rivals, Hylton said: “They drew today, so we would have gone six points behind, you’ve got to keep believing, but probably that ship’s sailed now.

“So we’ve got to make sure we cement our place and in the play-offs and just get ready.

“It was such a big opportunity today, if you can handpick a team to play across League Two, you’d chose Leyton Orient.

“We had that today. Look at Portsmouth playing Plymouth and it’s a real opportunity, we just didn’t take it. We’ve just got to make sure we get in the play-offs and get ready for them, make sure we go into the play-offs in as best form as we can, as fresh as we can.

“We need a real mentality that this is it. Forget what’s happened. Not that we’ve not put three wins together all season, a play-off’s a play-off, and if you can put three wins together in the play-offs you win them. So it would be a great time to do that.”

Assistant boss Paul Hart wasn’t giving up completely on catching Portsmouth, although he knows it’s not likely either, adding: “We’ve not gained anything, we’ve not lost too much, and we’ve got to get a result on Monday to cement our place in the play-offs, but equally to put pressure on people above us, ultimately Portsmouth.

“Hopefully they will experience some of these freak results. “At the end of the season, we’ve all seen stranger things happen. I will say it’s (automatic promotion) a long shot but it’s still there, and we have to keep believing it’s still there.”

Sub Vassell left 'baffled' after late penalty is turned down

Hatters striker Isaac Vassell was left ‘baffled’ that he didn’t win a stoppage time penalty during Luton's 2-2 against bottom side Leyton Orient this afternoon

The second half substitute had already pulled Town back on level terms with his 11th of the season just five minutes after coming off the bench and appeared to be clipped inside the area by Teddy Mezague but after a discussion with his assistant Amy Fearn, referee Brett Huxtable signalled for a corner instead.

Vassell said: “I think we had a shout for penalty on me, I’m baffled with that one, I don’t know how the ref’s not given it.

“It was a stonewall one, I’ve knocked it past my player, it’s gone out, the final touch is heavy, but he’s clattered me and the referee's given a corner which I find strange.

“Because how with the defender facing with his back to goal, has he managed to kick it out for a corner behind him?

“It just doesn’t make sense. I think the referee and the lino might have got that wrong.

“She (Fearn) got a good look at it and when we appealed, I don’t know what she had seen, but I don’t think they got that decision right.”

Asked if he spoke to Huxtable afterwards, Vassell said: “You always appeal after it, especially when it’s something like that.

“I thought it was stonewall and asked him what it was and he just waved it off and said no.”

Strike partner Danny Hylton was equally astounded that he hadn’t been given the chance to win it from 12 yards, saying: “It’s one of the most obvious I’ve seen.

“I know referee's have got tough jobs, but sometimes you look at a decision, I don’t know how he’s not given it.

“He’s given a corner, it baffles me, it really does. Because if he’s not given a penalty it’s a goal kick as you can see that Vass clearly toe-pokes the ball away and gets tripped.

“I don’t know if they’re scared to make decisions, I really don’t know, it was a disappointing decision, it really was.

“I might have taken it and missed, they’ve got a tough job, but we can’t really blame it on that one decision, we probably should have been out of sight by that point.”

Hylton was seen almost hugging Huxtable after the penalty appeals were waved away and on what he said, the striker continued: “I was pleading with him, before he made that decision, to give the penalty, saying ‘it’s obvious, you know it is,’ but he just didn’t give it.

“I really don’t know how, it was definitely a penalty but we didn’t get that luck today.”

Assistant boss Paul Hart gave his opinion on the incident too, saying: “There were two penalty shouts I felt and the second one I felt we were hard done by on that one.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s what you have to put with, move forward.”

Moments before Vassell was tripped, the striker had claims for another spotkick as he was hauled back in the area, again by Mezague, although afterwards, added: “The first one, I don’t think was as much of a penalty.

“He did tug me a little bit but you’re going to get that and refs these days don’t really give those kind of fouls, especially in the box.

“I was off balance and don’t think that was a penalty, but these things happen. We shouldn’t have been in that situation, we should have been out of sight.”

Luton Town 2 Leyton Orient 2

Nathan Jones said before the game that victory could not be taken for granted against a stricken Leyton Orient side – and so it proved.

Defeat for Orient and other results going against them would have seen the crisis-hit club relegated, but that was not the script they brought with them.

A team who had lost six in a row before today gave Luton an almighty scare and left the Hatters grateful even for a point in a game the bookies had down as a banker of a home win.

Jones made two changes to the side which beat Barnet last weekend – brigning in Jordan Cook and Jack Marriott for their first starts since the defeat at Colchester three weeeks ago, while Stephen O'Donnell dropped to the bench along with Isaac Vassell.

Luton came close to opening the scoring on 12 minutes when some lovely play between Marriott and Cook on the left hand edge of the area ended with the latter firing across the face of goal, but where a toe was needed to poke the ball home, there was none.

Skipper Scott Cuthbert then went close wth two efforts in as many seconds, the first hitting Marriott and the second being deflected over for a corner, from which Glen Rea's header was stopped on the goalline by Os keeper Sam Sargeant.

The Hatters were forced into a change just 23 minutes in when Cook, who had been having a decent game on his return to the side, went down under a strong challenge and was unable to continue, being replaced by Luke Gambin.

But what had proved to be a frustrating first half hour for Luton was soon forgotten with a goal straight out of the top drawer on 32 minutes. As the Hatters cleared their lines from an Orient attack, Olly Lee pinged an inch-perfect pass from well inside his own half which Hylton controlled perfectly before taking the ball on and sending Sargeant the wrong way with a textbook finish.

Gambin was unfortunate not to double Luton's lead before the break, drawing two excellent saves from Sargeant with a couple of absolute belters, while Marriott also fired just over from a good position in first half injury time.

The hosts started the second half in sloppy fashion, however, and were punished nine minutes in when a Henry Ochieng shot from outside the area smashed into Rea in the box, who claimed ball to hand, but referee Brett Huxtable pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Liam Kelly, and although Stuart Moore guessed the right way, diving low to his left, the Orient skipper's penalty went over him and in.

Alan Sheehan fired across the face of goal as Luton looked for a response but it was Orient who instead struck again on the hour mark, sub Tristan Abraham firing home at the far post after the Hatters back four were carved open.

It could have got worse soon after, but Moore was quick off his line to save at the feet of Victor Adeboyejo. However, Luton we thrown a lifeline with 17 minutes left when a superb ball from Hylton put in Vassell.

The super sub took a couple of touches to take him away from the chasing defenders and open up an angle on Sergeant before finishing clinically past the Orient keeper into the bottom left hand corner.

The game turned into real end to end stuff, with both sides looking for the winner, and two important interceptions by Cuthbert ensured it wouldn't come for the visitors.

At the other end, Lawson D'Ath dragged his shot wide after it opened up for him on the edge of the area, while Vassell was denied two very good penalty shouts in injury time, both of which could easily have been given.

But last word went to James Justin who, as the only defender back, made an outstanding last gasp game-saving tackle as two Orient players bore down on goal and looked certain to score.

HATTERS: Moore, Sheehan, Cuthbert, Rea, Justin, Mpanzu, Lee, D'Ath, Cook (Gambin 23), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 65). Subs: King, O'Donnell, Potts, Smith, Gray.

ATTENDANCE: 8,601 (380 away fans)

Luton Town assistant manager Paul Hart felt his side handed Leyton Orient the initiative with a sloppy start to the second half.

The Hatters had dominated the opening period, but only had Danny Hylton's 25th goal of the season to show for their efforts.

Despite sitting bottom of the table and looking destined for relegation, The O's produced a spirited performance after the break and briefly led at Kenilworth Road, before Isaac Vassell pulled the Hatters level.

Although he gave Orient credit for their fightback, Hart was adamant Luton contributed to their own downfall.

"I thought we dominated first half and overall just needed another goal in the first half to cement the dominance," Hart said.

"Leyton Orient did extremely well with a young side and I think we contributed to our own downfall in the second half.

"We didn't start the second half brightly enough. We paid a price for that.

"I think we contributed to the uplift in their performance, I've got to be honest. I think our approach to the second half was not as good as the first."

Hart did not feel anything drastic had changed in the dressing room at half-time and said the coaching staff told the players to carry on doing the 'basics' well

He added: "Not a lot [happened]. We asked for them to deal with the basics, get your headers in and get on the front foot – how we started the game.

"I think we messed around with the ball, didn't get good clearances and it contributes to what we enabled Leyton Orient to do to us.

"The previous two games we've kept clean sheets and we are feeling more and more confident of keeping a clean sheet.

"We always felt like we could do with another one. I don't think we could have been begrudged a second goal in the first half.

"The game is 90 minutes plus, though, and you have to perform for that length of time. I don't think we did."

Luton no.2 on the possibility of dropping Danny Hylton

Paul Hart admits dropping Danny Hylton would be a very tough decision – but it's one Luton Town may have to take.

The Hatters' 25-goal top scorer is on 14 bookings for the season, meaning he is just one more yellow card away from a three-match ban.

With Luton having a six-point gap on eighth place, the temptation would be to rest Hylton once a top seven place is secured to make sure he is available for the play-offs.

Assistant manager Hart said: "Danny's been pretty good over the past month and a half or two months, but in terms of bookings, he got one last week, and I think we'll probably look at each game as it comes.

"We'll see where we are and what's happening. It's a knife edge for us, but equally, he is the best centre forward in the league, and it'd be a hard job leaving him out at any time. The play-offs are important though, and it's a consideration we have to take.

"Danny's excellent. What he does on a football pitch, I've never worked with anyone like him – and I've worked with Premier League players and all. He's a handful all day long, a great enthusiast., and we're lucky to have him."

Partnering Hylton in yesterday's draw with Leyton Orient was Jack Marriott, recalled to the side in place of Isaac Vassell, but who looked a bit rusty at times.

Hart added: "Jack's had a long time out, which contributes to a little bit of staleness. He's having a go and he's quick. He gets his chances, and we know the more he plays, the more chances he'll get."

Luton striker's disbelief over penalty snub

Isaac Vassell still cannot believe he wasn't awarded a penalty which could have given Luton a late winner against Leyton Orient yesterday.

Twice in the closing stages, the Hatters sub went down in the Orient area, once after having is shirt pulled, and the other after being sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge.

And while Vassell admits the first shout was not as clear cut, he believes you won't see a clearer penalty than the second one.

He said: "I'm baffled how the ref didn't give it.The first one I didn't think was as much of a penalty. I did get a tug, but refs don't really give them these days, I was off balance and went down, but didn't think it was a penalty.

"The second was a stonewall one though, I got the final touch and he clattered me. The ref gave a corner, which baffled me. How could a defender with his back to goal kick it out behind him? It seems like they got that one wrong.

"But these things happen, and we shouldn't have been in that situation. We should have won the game, simple as that. The first half was good, but we came out for the second half a bit lethargic, and all of a sudden we were behind and chasing the game. We should have been out of sight by then.

"Every team you play will have a spell and it's how you react to that. We didn't ride it out and put the pressure back on them. If we had got a second goal we woud have put the game to bed, it would have deflated them massively. We did have the chances, but it didn't go in for us."

Instead of closing the gap on Portsmouth in third place, Luton were left to rue yet another missed opportunity – and Vassell reckons the Hatters have to stop looking gift horses in the mouth if they are to realise their promotion dream.

He added: "It would have been a good day if we'd got the win to put the pressure on Pompey. I don't know what it is, but when we get these opportunities but don't seem to take them.

"If it happened once or twice you woud just put it down as a bad day at the office, but it seems every time we get these opportunities we don't take them, so something's got to change there."