Luton’s woes continue

Luton`s run of poor form and bad luck continued at Preston, as Marlon Beresford was dismissed there for the second consecutive season.

arlon made a genuine attempt to play the ball and Nugent made the most of his prone presence to go down very easily to win the spot kick. Having given the penalty kick the referee left himself no option but to send the keeper off and from that point there was no chance of Luton staying in the game let alone coming back to challenge for points.

uton have now conceded 14 goals without reply in losing four matches on the spin, and Mike Newell has worrying times ahead as the Town are drawn closer to the group of teams which are just outside the relegation zone.

uton could have been well pleased with their efforts to ward off Preston`s attacking intent in the first half, reducing Preston to long shots, and although Nugent hit the woodwork, Beresford was never in too much danger despite Preston`s possession advantage.

owever, after the break, Luton may have been fortunate when Barnett accidentally clipped the heels of Sedgewick in the box for the home side`s appeals for a penalty kick to be waved away by the referee.

uton were not clicking too well in attack although Edwards managed a few good crosses, and the central defensive pairing of the Lillywhites was in full control. Adam Boyd showed some good touches and may at last be coming into some fitness and once he hits full form he looks as though he will be a great asset.

round the hour mark, once Marlon was dismissed and Graham Alexander had blasted the penalty kick home, Preston dominated proceedings. A poorly defended corner allowed Agyemang to side foot the ball into the net for 2-0 and desperate defending and poor finishing kept the score reasonable until late on when Brill saved superbly from a good strike by Sedgewick, before making another good save again from a Sedgewick curler, but parried the ball to the lurking Ormerod who made no mistake.

uton now have a run of very winnable games beginning at home next Saturday against strugglers QPR. It has become a must win game if Luton are to stay in touch with the leading pack and avoid being dragged into the bottom half of the table.


Next Fixture
Luton Town v QPR Saturday 11 November 2006 at Kenilworth Road, KO 3 pm