Luton Town FC vs York City (10th Oct 2015)

PUBLISHED 17:58 10th October 2015 Hatters held to frustrating draw against Minstermen

LUTON TOWN 1-1 YORK CITY

Cameron McGeehan’s second-half penalty was not enough to prevent the Town’s winning league run from coming to an end following a 1-1 draw with York at Kenilworth Road.

The midfielder tucked home his sixth goal of the season following a foul on Dan Potts, but it proved a frustrating afternoon for the Hatters.

York had taken the lead when Keith Lowe slotted home from a knock-down in the first-half, as the visitors continued their strong recent form against the Hatters.

And while both teams pushed for a win, clear-cut chances were few and far between late on, with Luton’s winless run against the Minstermen stretching to nine games.

John Still made one change from their last league outing at Hartlepool, Scott Griffiths dropping out of the squad to allow Potts to take his place at left-back.

It was a quiet start at Kenilworth Road, but the Hatters were slightly on top with Potts and McGeehan linking up well down the left flank before Craig Mackail-Smith was denied by an excellent sliding tackle from Lowe in the 10th minute.

Mackail-Smith was a constant threat to the York defence early on, and should have opened the scoring moments later, but his snatched effort from an excellent Olly Lee through ball sailed harmlessly wide of the post.

Town kept the visitors out of the first quarter, with McGeehan looking to add to his already-impressive goal-scoring tally, but the midfielder was thwarted by the offside flag after Mackail-Smith’s flick-down came from the wrong side of the York defence.

The McGeehan-Mackail-Smith combination continued to deliver, the latter this time flicking an aerial ball to Luke Guttridge, but York goalkeeper Scott Flinders was on hand for a second time in as many minutes to deny the midfielder’s close-range effort.

It took 20 minutes for York to get their first shot on Mark Tyler’s goal, courtesy of Penn, who had been guilty of conceding possession on numerous occasions, but the midfielder screwed his effort wildly into the Kenilworth Road End.

The lack of a clinical final ball proved a frustration for the Hatters all through the game, and McGeehan and Josh McQuoid switched wings in an attempt to inject some life to the last third, but to no avail.

But just moments later York were ahead. Penn’s free-kick from the edge of the centre-circle found John McCombe, who nodded down for his defensive partner Lowe to lash home past a helpless Tyler after the Town defence proved too slow to react to the danger.

The goal, seven minutes before the end of the first half, inevitably allowed York to sit on their lead, but they came close to adding a second. Steve McNulty’s slip – the only blemish in an excellent half for the skipper – allowed Vadaine Oliver in, but the visitors’ striker was challenged amidst claims of a penalty before he had chance to shoot.

Further poor passing continued to aggravate the home faithful, lacking any clear-cut chances to level the game before the interval in a half they dominated.

Jack Marriott replaced Mackail-Smith at half-time, and the Hatters began the second half on the front foot, with McQuoid narrowly hitting over from a half-cleared Guttridge set-piece, but York continued to look for a second with a series of corners that the home defence were able to deal with.

The introduction of Alex Lawless for Jonathan Smith prompted a change to the Town’s system, as Still opted to use Lawless and Potts as wing-backs, a decision which reaped rewards just minutes later as Luton equalised.

Potts, who had looked invigorated down the left since the break, was fouled by Penn in the area to allow McGeehan to lash home his sixth in the campaign.

The left-back had found himself taking on Marriott’s super run after the striker had been picked out excellently from another Lee long ball, bursting clear of the York defence on an all too infrequent occasion.

McGeehan took on the spot-kick responsibility and fired the Hatters back to parity.

Luton rifled up the ascendancy after equalising, McQuoid racing through to win a free-kick following Femi Ilesanmi’s foul, but Lee’s effort flicked off the wall and out for a corner.

But still the Town pushed, and from the resultant corner just after the hour mark, Luke Wilkinson was denied by a wonderful right-hand paw from Flinders to turn over, but the subsequent set-piece was dealt with by a now rattled York defence.

Back came Luton with yet another beauty of an outswinging corner from Guttridge, this time earned by Lawless’ enterprise down the right, finding Wilkinson, but the centre half could only nod wide when well positioned.

The Hatters threw on Nathan Doyle for the last 10 minutes in search of a winner, but York still posed a threat with Penn slicing wide from the edge of Tyler’s penalty area as free-kicks for the away side increased the anguish for the Kenilworth Road support.

Chances dried up for both teams, although York were willing to push for more than a point, attempting to utilise the height of centre-half McCombe with a selection of long throws in the closing stages, while Penn tried his luck from range on more than one occasion.

The hosts were limited to half-chances also, despite thriving in front of goal in recent matches. Scott Cuthbert was the latest to try from distance, but the urges of the fans proved to be misguided as he shot high and wide in search of a late winner.

A last chance from a Lee free-kick, gave Luton an opening, but a foul on Flinders from the ball in – which caused some handbags with Wilkinson and the keeper – rounded off a disappointing afternoon for a Town side used to winning in the past few weeks.

The point marks the Hatters’ first slip up since the defeat at Notts County, almost a month ago, but the Town remain in 10th position in League 2, three points shy of the Play-Off places heading into next week’s trip to Crawley.

Town: Tyler; Cuthbert, Potts, McNulty, Wilkinson; Smith (sub Lawless 57), Lee, Guttridge (sub Doyle 81); McGeehan, McQuoid, Mackail-Smith (sub Marriott 46). Subs not used: Hall, Green, Ruddock, Justham.

Attendance: 8,612, with 222 following York.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/luton-1-1-york-gallery-2737851.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0OffilO-rc

League Two: Luton Town 1 York City 1

Luton Town saw their sequence of four straight League Two victories ended after a hugely frustrating 1-1 draw against bogey side York City this afternoon.

The hosts went into the match having not beaten their opponents in the last eight games and despite enjoying plenty of the ball throughout, never really looked like they would come close to ending that stat.

After Keith Lowe put the visitors in front, Cameron McGeehan’s spot kick just after the hour levelled matters, but with the Kenilworth Road faithful expecting a rousing finale, it failed to materialise.

Luton boss John Still made one change to the starting line-up as Dan Potts was handed his first league start at left back with Scott Griffiths dropping out of the squad completely.

After netting seven in their last two games on the road, Hatters supporters were expecting a fast start, although a repeat of those numbers appeared some way off as goalscoring changes were at a premium.

Patience was definitely the order of the day as from the early stages it was clear York were set up to slow proceedings down whenever they could, taking an age over every set-play and using all the tricks in the book.

Chances were few and far between for Hatters as McGeehan had an early effort easily stopped by Scott Flinders, while when the visitors offside trap malfunctioned, Craig Mackail-Smith was sent clear by Olly Lee, only to drag well wide from 15 yards.

With 17 minutes gone, Hatters had another rare opportunity, McGeehan’s cross met by Mackail-Smith for Guttridge whose close-range toe-poke was turned behind by Flinders.

City had their first sighter on 20 minutes, Russell Penn shooting well over, while Michael Coulson followed suit later.

Hatters kept knocking it about trying to prise an opening, but without the invention of a Paddy McCourt, away on international duty, too often looked good until the final third before running out of ideas when repeatedly attempting to go through the middle of a congested defence, the move more often than not breaking down down.

With home supporters’ frustrations becoming audible, York then had the lead out of nothing.

Midfielder Penn, who had been the Minstermen’s worst culprit when it came to time-wasting, delayed and delayed his set-piece, but when he eventually did deliver, Scott Cuthbert was beaten at the back post allowing unmarked centre half Keith Lowe to prod home.

The visitors then had legitimate shouts for a penalty after Oliver went down in the area under a challenge from Cuthbert, but referee Darren Handley gave nothing.

With Mackail-Smith not reappearing for the second period after a recurrence of his hamstring injury, leading scorer Jack Marriott came on in his place.

Hatters looked to start positively, with Potts finally taking play deep into opposition territory after too often cutting back inside during the first period.

He won a free kick which was punched out to Josh McQuoid who sent a rising volley into the stands.

Luton still weren’t threatening Flinders’ goal with anywhere near the regularity they would have wanted as if anything York were the more likely, Antony Straker’s back post volley deflecting behind off Cuthbert.

The Town defender was then in action at the other end, meeting Guttridge’s free kick at the back post, heading across goal for Wilkinson to nod wide.

Hatters finally utilised the pace of Marriott on 62 minutes as he picked up Lee’s raking pass and although Femi Ilesanmi halted his progress, Potts took the loose ball up and charged into the area, going down under pressure from Penn.

Mystifyingly, referee Darren Handley didn’t even show the York man a card of any colour, despite his obvious indescretion.

With Mackail-Smith off, McGeehan took the duties and confidently slammed down the middle for his sixth of the campaign.

Back on level terms, Luton pressed for an immediatea second, with Wilkinson’s close range header from a corner producing a quite brilliant tip over from Flinders.

From then on though, try as they might, Hatters couldn’t ever build up a full head of steam as York came back into the encounter and might have snatched victory, Penn sending two presentable efforts from range off target.

Cuthbert was wide too after taking aim from 20 yards with Town’s frustrations boiling over late on, as players from both sides got involved in a set of handbags during the closing stages.

Time ran out though with Luton left to reflect on a disappointing outcome, although they did extend their unbeaten run to five games and remain 10th in the table, just five points off new leaders Portsmouth.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Scott Cuthbert, Dan Potts, Steve McNulty (C), Luke Wilkinson, Jonathan Smith (Alex Lawless 57), Olly Lee, Josh McQuoid, Luke Guttridge (Nathan Doyle 82) Cameron McGeehan, Craig Mackail-Smith (Jack Marriott 46).

Subs not used: Ryan Hall, Danny Green, Elliot Justham, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

Gills: Scott Flinders, Marvin McCoy, Femi Ilesanmi, James Berrett, John McCombe, Michael Coulson (Rhys Tuner 82), Vadaine Oliver, Russell Penn (C), Anthony Straker, Keith Lowe, Michael Collins.

Subs not used: Josh Carson, Dave Winfield, Reece Thompson, Michael Ingham, Ben Godfrey, Emile Sinclair.

Attendance: 8,612 (York 222).

Booked: McCoy 67.

Referee: Darren Handley.

Hatters MOM: Olly Lee - midfielder kept play moving as quickly as possibly in an intelligent manner throughout.

Still has no complaints over Minstermen draw

Hatters boss John Still had no complaints after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling York City on Saturday.

Hopes had been high amongst the home faithful after Luton came into the game on the back of four straight league wins, scoring seven goals in their last two matches.

However, they witnessed a stopstart performance as Luton struggled to break down their opponents and might have even lost out, but for Cameron McGeehan’s second half penalty.

Still said: “Our performance was scrappy, I thought we did really well without the ball in the first half as they didn’t really threaten.

“We gave away a poor goal, a really poor goal and should have come in for me, worst ways, 0-0 without playing particularly well.

“We said at half time they won’t really push out too much, they’ll play on the counter attack, which lots of teams that we play here will, so we have to be patient.

“In the end, we thought let’s match up and we can probably push people on and try and make it a one-on-one game and to be fair we did really well with that.

“We got the goal and we did well with the change, but it ended 1-1 and I can’t really complain about that.”

Still did feel that 1,000 miles of travelling to Morecambe, Hartlepool and Gillingham recently might have had an effect on his players, but admitted their their final ball was lacking throughout.

He continued: “We were not as sharp as we have been. We’ve had tough games, three away games, but if I use that as an excuse I’m doing the players a disservice.

“I just felt that final ball, final cross, final pass, not quite. We were a bit slow, which I have to give them credit for. They got behind the ball, with the three centre halves and the five in midfield, they made it really difficult.

“We needed that key just to unlock the door, once we got the penalty, I actually thought we might.

“But it became pretty evident and every respect to them for doing it as I would do it in their situation, they then tried not to get beat and it probably worked out so I can’t moan.”

With Hatters searching for a late winner and two of their more creative players in Danny Green and Ryan Hall both on the bench, Still brought on defensive Nathan Doyle in the final 10 minutes.

When asked if there had been a temptation to send Green on in particular, the boss added: “There was, but because we changed our shape to wingbacks I was quite comfortable. It was something we spoke about but we actually ran out of subs in the end as we changed the system.”

There's nothing like a bogey team to dampen down the optimism. For four years and now nine games, York City have been a thorn in Luton's side, an immovable object resolutely refusing to rollover.

So, the Minstermen marched down south to put a stop to the Hatters' quadruple run of League Two victories. Town even did their best to help them out, conceding a sloppy Keith Lowe opener just before the break in half in which they had dominated without dazzling.

Home reprieve came just after the hour mark with Cameron McGeehan scoring from the spot – the softest of penalties, won by Dan Potts – but there was no real Luton resurgence from there, just a largely laissez-faire limp to the final whistle amid a mild chorus of groans that had crept in midway through the first half.

"We've had some good performances and we're not going to be great every week but we've got to be disciplined and that's why we're disappointed with the [York] goal," said Luton boss John Still.

"It ended 1-1 and I can't really complain about that. I think we weren't as sharp as we have been. We've had tough away games but if I use that as an excuse I'm doing the players a disservice."

Modern football is awash with stats that deify possession but, even with the unusually high League Two percentage that Luton clocked up in the first 45 minutes, there was, as ever, only one piece of numerical information that counted. A defensive-minded City side, set up to frustrate and time-waste, had one shot on target and scored.

Luton, prolific on their travels, drew a blank in open play on terra firma – not for the want of trying – but visiting goalkeeper Scott Flinders was having none of it.

The stopper kept out Luke Guttridge in the first half and rather spectacularly denied Luke Wilkinson in the second period once parity had been restored.

When he wasn't called upon, the Hatters couldn't take advantage of the few openings that crafted. Craig Mackail-Smith squandered a golden chance which looked tailor made for him to turn on the afterburners once Olly Lee intercepted a pass a threaded him through on goal. It was the sort of opportunity that, as a younger man, he would have gobbled up, but so far in an orange shirt he's yet to match his perpetual work-rate with those sorts of goals. Here, the almost alien opportunity saw him slash horribly wide before he made way at half time for six-shooter Jack Marriott.

It was a move made, in part, to inspire a rescue act and add some sting to the patient possession play that, rather than earning the plaudits it might normally deserve, had served only to aggravate the home faithful. It's a funny old game, football, and cruel too on occasion, like in the 38th minute when, having previously only offered two wild long range stabs at goal, City took the lead.

Russell Penn's deep free-kick was headed down by John McCombe and flicked into the roof of the net by Lowe. It was a lesson in simplicity, set in stark contrast to the intricacies of Town's toils.

Left back Potts – at times pinpointed for Luton's ponderousness when at most other times he'd offered a refreshing ability to pass with regularity to his own team-mates, in the absence of rested Scott Griffiths – adopted a more direct approach after the interval. Having already won a free-kick, the former West Ham starlet, scorched into the penalty area and tumbled, winning the approval of referee Darren Handley and the ire of York boss Russ Wilcox. McGeehan did the rest, smashing straight down the middle for his sixth of the season.

As Town turned up the heat, Flinders spectacularly kept out Wilkinson's header, while he and Scott Cuthbert both headed wide.

But then, with ten minutes to go, the hosts seemed content to settle for a point by replacing Guttridge with the defensively minded Nathan Doyle. Disappointingly, that is exactly what they got.

Luton: Tyler, Potts, Smith (Lawless, 57), McNulty, Cuthbert, McGeehan, Lee, Guttridge (Doyle, 80), Mackail-Smith (Marriott, 45), McQuoid, Wilkinson

Unused subs: Hall, Green, Justham, Ruddock Mpanzu

York: Flinders, McCoy, Ilesanmi, Berrett, McCombe, Coulson (Turner, 82), Oliver, Penn, Straker, Lowe, Collins

Unused subs: Carson, Winfield, Thompson, Ingham, Godfrey, Sinclair

Referee: Darren Handley

Attendance: 8,612 (222)

Cameron McGeehan was left to rue "sloppy" defending in a 1-1 draw with York City as Luton's four-game winning run came to an end.

Town have not beaten the Minstermen in nine attempts, stretching back four years, and the result was made all the more frustrating as they had one shot on target and scored in the first half when Town failed to deal with a free-kick in their box.

McGeehan levelled from the spot in the second half to join Jack Marriott as joint top scorer this season, but it could and should have been so much more than a point as City keeper Scott Flinders kept out a Luke Wilkinson header.

"It was very sloppy," the midfielder said of York's opener, adding: "That defending wasn't good enough. It was a basic free-kick and all we've got to do is clear it and we haven't. That's been a theme of the season and that's not good enough. That's not going to get us where we need to be. We need to cut them out as of now, but we've said that before, so hopefully it won't happen again.

"It's not great to be chasing a game that you're in total control of. Hopefully we can learn from that and cut that out.

"The manager [John Still] kept saying that Germany played in the week and got beaten by a long ball and switching off [against the Republic of Ireland] and they're the best team in the world, so it happens. We've just got to make sure it doesn't happen to us too many times after that."

Despite dropping their first points since September 12 still only leaves Luton three off the play-offs and five off the summit.

McGeehan said: "It wasn't the end of the world. We're unbeaten [in five league games], we've just got to keep building on that. The team is getting better. It was a bit of a step back but, with time, we're really going to push on.

"There's no rush to be at the top. The only time you need to be at the top is at the end of the season."

Town's penalty came from the direct running of Dan Potts – making his first Football League start for Luton in place of the rested Scott Griffiths – and it was a decision that enraged York boss Russ Wilcox.

"I think it was a penalty," said McGeehan, who stepped up to take responsibility with regular taker Craig Mackail-Smith taken off at half time.

"We knew that I was going to be taking them," he said, adding: "I had a few practices [on Friday] and luckily it came off.

"I've hit quite a few down the middle in my time. It's a safe bet as the keeper usually dives but I'll have to mix it up as keepers will catch on to it."