Luton Town FC vs Notts County (9th Dec 2017)

REPORT: LUTON TOWN 1 NOTTS COUNTY 1

Hatters stay at the summit after top-of-the-table stalemate with Magpies

The Hatters remain top of Sky Bet League Two on goal difference after Notts County came up with a second-half equaliser to take a point in front of a sell-out crowd at Kenilworth Road.

In a tight encounter that mirrored the first versus second positions at the summit, Johnny Mullins netted his first goal of the season to give Nathan Jones’ Hatters a half-time lead, to the delight of the majority of the 10,063 fans inside the ground.

But Kevin Nolan’s County, who have been at the top for most of the campaign before being overtaken by free-scoring Town’s recent winning run, had Shola Ameobi on target just after the hour to earn them a deserved point to take back up the M1.

The result extended the Town’s unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions as Jones, fresh from picking up his second successive manager of the month award, named an unchanged side from last Sunday’s FA Cup win at Gateshead.

The only change as the Town went in search of a sixth successive win in league and cup, looking to move clear of the second-placed Magpies at the top of the table, was on the bench where James Collins returned in place of Jack Senior after a month out with a hamstring injury.

County had the game’s first chance, Ryan Yates meeting Carl Dickinson’s free-kick with a free header, but Hatters keeper Marek Stech was equal to it, tipping over the bar.

The Hatters were struggling to impose themselves, but a promising break down the right involving Danny Hylton, Elliot Lee and Andrew Shinnie saw them win their first corner on nine minutes, although it eventually came to nothing.

The visitors were creating the better opportunities, and Stech had to get down low to keep efforts from Jon Stead out in the 13th and 16th minutes, the second after the County striker had gone one-on-one with Mullins after appearing to shove captain Alan Sheehan from behind 40 yards from goal.

County left-back Dickinson became the first man into ref Charles Breakspear’s notepad when he tripped Elliot Lee to the right of the County penalty area in the 24th minute, but Ameobi rose highest to head Sheehan’s inswinging delivery clear at the far post.

The breakthrough wasn’t long in coming, however, and it was courtesy of the younger Lee brother’s pressing out on the left that the Town won the corner for Sheehan to drill a cross to the far post for Mullins, who produced a towering header to direct the ball into the bottom corner on 26 minutes.

It was the 32-year-old first goal of the campaign, topped off by a kneeslide celebration that got the whole ground rocking, as he became the 22nd different player to net for the Town this season.

As has been the case of late, Elliot Lee was getting on the ball and enjoying himself, wriggling past two defenders on the left to arc a cross towards the far top corner, but just too high, on the half-hour, before the striker, Shinnie, Jack Stacey and Hylton produced a couple of intricate passing moves in the final third as the Hatters got well into their stride.

Dan Potts has been in prolific goalscoring form in recent weeks, earning nominations for two player of the month awards. But the left-back has been equally effective in his own area, and in the 43rd minute he produced a terrific defensive header to clear Ameobi’s cross, before beating the ex-Newcastle striker to the resulting corner.

County finished the half as they’d started it, in the ascendancy with Dickinson testing Stech from 20 yards, but it was Jones’ men who had the all-important advantage to take into the break.

They came out after it in attacking mode, Hylton driving at the retreating County back-four only to find his shot blocked. The top scorer wasn’t giving up though, and he won the ball back twice – after losing it once – to set up another attack.

Shinnie got on the ball and lofted an inch-perfect pass out to Stacey, who was galloping down the right. The full-back beat his man before trying to out-smart Ross Fitzsimons at his near post, only finding the side-netting.

Olly and Elliot Lee combined brilliantly down the right to draw a free-kick on the edge of the box, and a yellow for Shaun Brisley, as the County defender tripped the latter, but Sheehan’s free-kick was cleared.

County upped the ante again and had two chances in the 57th minute, Grant heading a Matt Tootle cross over angle of post and bar before Ryan Yates shot just wide from 20 yards.

Then, in the 61st minute, they had their equaliser when a long free-kick into the Hatters’ box flicked off Ameobi’s head and past a stranded Stech, despite Potts’ best efforts to hook it back off the line.

The Hatters went straight back on the attack and Mullins headed a Sheehan corner wide, before Hylton got his head on a 66th-minute cross from Shinnie, but couldn’t keep it down.

Stech had to be on his guard to keep out Grant’s curling effort in the 69th minute, but the Hatters had a glorious chance to retake the lead in the 72nd minute when Sheehan’s corner dropped at Glen Rea’s feet, but the midfielder blazed his half-volley over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

Six minutes later Shinnie and Elliot Lee combined down the left for Potts to stand a lovely ball up to the far post, but Dickinson did well to head behind just in front of Hylton.

It was Lee’s last involvement, as Jones brought Collins on in the 79th minute to try and prise open the County defence, but it was the visitors who would have the next shot on goal, with a sub of their own, Lewis Alessandra, nipping in front of Potts to fashion a shooting opportunity, only to fire high into the Kenny End from range.

The Hatters’ best opportunity came with 90 minutes on the clock, and again it fell to Mullins, who latched onto Rea’s knock-down from another Sheehan corner, but couldn’t divert it past Fitzsimons who saved well from point-blank range.

The Hatters’ winning run had been ended at five, but they remain on top courtesy of that plus-15 goal advantage and have now lost just once in 20 matches in all competitions.

As importantly, with Exeter and Coventry losing and Wycombe only picking up a point at Stevenage, the draw extended the Hatters’ advantage above fourth place to six points before the trip to Forest Green next week.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Mullins, Sheehan ©, Potts, Rea, O Lee, Berry, Shinnie (Gambin 83), Hylton, E Lee (Collins 79). Subs: Justin, Cook, Mpanzu, D’Ath, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Sheehan

Goal: Mullins 26

COUNTY: Fitzsimons, Tootle, Dickinson, Hewitt, Duffy, Ameobi, Grant, Hawkridge (Alessandra 75), Brisley, Yates, Stead (Smith 90+2). Subs: Pindroch, Forte, Hunt, Jones, Milsom

Yellows: Dickinson, Brisley, Stead, Ameobi

Goal: Ameobi 61

REFEREE: Charles Breakspear

ATT: 10,063 (810 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wNwHnbui6c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-HAylQaNR0

NATHAN JONES ON THE 1-1 DRAW WITH NOTTS COUNTY

Town boss Nathan Jones felt a 1-1 draw with Notts County at Kenilworth Road this afternoon was a fair result as the Hatters maintained their place at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Town defender Johnny Mullins headed in for his first goal of the season with the half hour mark approaching, before Shola Ameobi equalised midway through the second half.

Results elsewhere mean the Town are now five points clear of third placed Accrington Stanley, and a further point ahead of fourth placed Exeter City.

Jones said: "I think it was a fair result in the end. We were nowhere near where we have been, but let's give some credit to Notts County because they must have contributed to stopping us doing that. I thought it was a very tight game, there was very little in it.

"We scored from a set-play, they scored from a set-play and to be fair all our clear-cut chances came from set-plays and second phase. It was one of those games – a real tight game. For the level it's two good sides and we must be the two best sides in the league because the points say that.

"We're both right on cue, both on 42 points after 21 games, that's what you need to go up [two points-per-game]. I think it's a fair result and let's give credit to Notts County, they came here and worked hard and showed why they are such a good side.

"We have been in good form and we wanted to play a certain way. We didn't quite get that and I have given credit to Notts County for that, so I couldn't berate my players for it."

No change at the top as Hatters are held by Magpies

League Two: Luton Town 1 Notts County 1

It's as you were at the summit of League Two after the Hatters were held to a 1-1 draw by second-placed Notts County in an absorbing top-of-the-table clash this afternoon.

Witnessed by a season's high crowd of 10,063, it had looked like Luton were well placed to go three points ahead of their title rivals at one stage thanks to Johnny Mullins' first goal of the campaign, until a second half rush of blood from keeper Marek Stech.

The usually dependable stopper rashly came steaming off his line to try and claim a free kick he always looked second best for, beaten to the punch by ex-Premier League striker Shola Ameobi. who nodded into an empty net.

A game that was always bubbling nicely away then saw chances at both ends late on, although it was the visiting side celebrating the point with more gusto, with Luton held at home in th league for the first time this campaign.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones kept faith with the same XI who won handsomely at Gateshead in the FA Cup last Sunday, meaning fit-again striker James Collins had to make do with a place on the bench.

The visitors threatened first, Ryan Yates's header flipped over the top by Stech, the County midfielder then prodding the ensuing corner wide.

Town looked uncustomarily nervy in the early stages, some poor defending allowing Jon Stead to swivel with his tame shot easy for Stech.

Stead then bumped Alan Sheehan aside and turned Mullins, his low effort not having enough to significantly trouble Stech.

The Magpies clearly had the ascendancy, forcing corner after corner, with Luton unable to get going, or even out of their own half at times, such was the visitors dominance.

However, they dug in to maintain on level terms, with Elliot Lee doing his utmost to draw the hosts forward, showing plenty of perseverance and tenacity to drag Luton up the field.

It was from one such moment of closing down by the striker that led to the corner which saw Hatters take the lead with their first shot on target after 26 minutes.

Skipper Alan Sheehan sent his delivery to the far post, and Mullins was there to plant a downward header beyond Ross Fitzsimons for his first goal of the season, becoming the 22nd player on target for Luton as well.

Jorge Grant looked for an immediate reply, shooting at Stech, but buoyed by the opener, Luton finally wrested control back, Elliot Lee continuing to cause all kinds of trouble.

One glorious passing move from side to side saw Town almost fashion a wonderful team goal, Luke Berry dispossessed before he could shoot.

Luton were indebted to two excellent clearing headers from Dan Potts to prevent an equaliser, one at the back post stopping Stead from what looked like a certain leveller.

Stech did well to hold Carl Dickinson's snap shot from 20 yards, with Yates firing over the bar as County finished the game as they started, but crucially Luton had made the most of their dominance during the middle period.

Town made a far better start to the second half, Hylton wonderfully spinning his man to have an effort charged down, before Berry's cross was just above both Potts and Hylton.

County mustered an opening, Matt Tootle's cross headed over by Grant, as Yates pounced on a loose ball to sidefoot wide from the edge of the area too.

However, as Luton had done previously, the visitors were level when on the back foot, as Mullins gave away a needless free kick on the hour mark, although Town's players were furious Hylton hadn't won a decision for a similar incident moments before.

It was sent into the box, and with Stech, who had looked jittery at times during the afternoon, vacating his premises, Ameobi flicked the ball over the line.

Luton didn't let the strike faze them though, Mullins failing to direct Sheehan's corner on target, with Hylton getting underneath his header from Shinnie's delivery as well.

Grant continued to look to be County's most likely source of a goal, seeing another effort held easily enough by Stech.

Roared on by the home support, Hatters tried to step it up again in the closing stages, as it always looked like the game was going to be decided, if at all, by a set-piece.

It almost came true too, the ball dropping to Glen Rea just eight yards out, but he swung a right boot to loft wildly into the night sky.

County might have won it, sub Lewis Alessandra wriggling clear and slamming over with Ameobi unmarked to his right, before Luton created one more glorious chance in stoppage time.

Sheehan's corner was nodded into Mullins' path, but just as he looked to win it, Fitzimons threw himself in the way to get a crucial block and ensure the spoils were shared.

It wasn't doom and gloom for the Hatters. not by any stretch, as they extended their unbeaten run to nine games, plus their lead over fourth placed Exeter to six points, as the Grecians went down 3-1 at Colchester this afternoon.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Johnny Mullins, Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie (Luke Gambin 83), Elliot Lee (James Collins 79), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: James Shea, James Justin, Jack Senior, Lawson D'Ath, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.

County: Ross Fitzsimons, Matt Tootle, Carl Dickinson, Elliot Hewitt, Richard Duffy (C), Shola Ameobi, Jorge Grant, Terry Hawkridge (Lewis Alessandra 74), Shaun Brisley, Ryan Yates, Jon Stead (Alan Smith 90).

Subs not used: Branislav Pindroch, Nicky Hunt, Dan Jones, Rob Milsom.

Booked: Dickinson 23, Brisley 53, Stead 68, Ameobi 76.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Attendance: 10,063 (810 County).

Hatters MOM: Elliot Lee. Constant threat to the Magpies back-line with his direct running.

Jones: Draw was a fair result against County

Jones: Draw was a fair result against County

Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt Town’s 1-1 draw with Notts County in the top-of-the-table clash at Kenilworth Road yesterday was a fair result.

The hosts had taken the lead through Johnny Mullins' header on 26 minutes, before Shola Ameobi netted on the hour mark to ensure the visitors left with a share of the spoils.

When asked if he felt it was the right outcome, Jones said: “Definitely. I don't think either side were dominant, I thought both sides had certain spells in the game where they were slightly on top, but it was a real tight game and it shows as both sides are neck and neck with the points, the only thing separating us are the goals we’ve scored.

"Our defensive records are similar, scoring from set-plays is similar and it showed today. Give credit to them, we were nowhere near where we usually are fluency wise and in possession and so on, but they must have contributed to that.

"I'm not going to stand here like others might and say 'we didn't do this, we didn't do that,' they must have contributed to that.

“I thought it was a keenly contested game and a fair result.”

After County bossed the opening of the first half, Luton went ahead with their first attack, Mullins leaping highest to head Alan Sheehan’s corner home, becoming the 10th different player in a row to score for the club.

However, the second half was then a role reversal as with Town on top, the Magpies levelled, Ameobi heading into an empty net after keeper Marek Stech had come charging off his line.

Jones continued: “I think that’s fair to say, they started very, very well and put us on the back foot a little bit.

“We had to defend our box, we really did, as we know what a big, physical threat they are.

“We did that, then ironically we scored from a corner, great header, great ball in and then we came into it a little bit.

“I thought we were slightly the better side second half, without really being fluent, but I thought we were the ones pushing, and then they scored similarly, out of nothing.

“We felt it was a free kick on Danny (Hylton) just before that, then Johnny Mullins gave away a free kick, Marek’s come when he should never have and it’s reminiscent of the Blackpool game.

“The only disappointment I have is that one error has cost us, but it was a very, very keenly contested game, an even game and draw was probably a fair result.”