Luton Town drew 2-2 with Millwall yesterday as they came back from behind on two occasions. As the season nears to an end, Luton have just seven games left to play so every point acquired is important to their playoff hopes. Luton's crucial second goal came in the eighty-seventh minute of the game which saw the Hatters pick up another point and move into fourth in the Championship table.
Returning from the long international break, Nathan Jones had more squad availability compared to the absences apparent at Hull City just under two weeks ago. With the games coming thick and fast towards the end of the season squad rotation will be hugely important if the Hatters want to succeed in making the playoffs. Henri Lansbury and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu replaced Luke Berry and Jordan Clark, both of whom weren't included in the matchday squad for unknown reasons.
After twenty-five minutes of action, the away side took the lead, Tom Bradshaw placed his shot past James Shea after a poor defensive error from the Hatters.
However, Luton managed to bounce back just under ten minutes later as Adebayo scored his fifteenth of the campaign to put the Hatters level. The smart backheel pass from Henri Lansbury led into the path of Amari'i Bell who set up Adebayo for the intelligent finish.
(Gareth Owen photography. Robert Snodgrass lifting his teammates in an attempt to find a winner after his free-kick led to a 2-2 equaliser.)
Coming out for the second half, the Hatters should've taken the lead when Harry Cornick received a brilliant through ball into his pathway. However, he could not beat the Lions' goalkeeper Bialkowski.
Cornick eventually made way for Fred Onyedinma when the clock showed an hour played.
With just ten minutes to play, Millwall regained their lead as a dangerous cross from Oliver Burke reached Benik Afobe's shot which found the back of the net. Millwall's goal celebrations caused a stoppage in the restart. After a pitch invader left the field of play and the Millwall fans were removed from the Luton advertisement boards, the game resumed from Luton's centre kick.
Nathan Jones made two tactical changes after Millwall took the lead again, Dan Potts and Mpanzu made way for Cameron Jerome and Robert Snodgrass as Luton gained some more attacking strength to find an equaliser.
The substitutions paid off for Luton, as Snodgrass' cross into the box produced an equaliser when Millwall defender Cooper saw his header go into his own net.
Both teams searched for a late winner in the additional minutes, but the points were shared as neither team could capitalise on their chances.
Full Time: Luton Town 2-2 Millwall
VIEWS SPORTS MOTM: Henri Lansbury
Next Game: Peterborough (A)
Comments