Isaiah Jones conceded Luton Town “gave up at times” during a costly spell before half-time as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday.
The Hatters had hauled themselves back into the contest with a Jordan Clark penalty that Jones won, after falling behind, only to be undone again in the closing stages of the first half, with two Bluebirds goals in five minutes.
Despite some improvements in the second half, the Hatters failed to register a shot on target against the League One leaders and the defeat stretched their winless run on the road to seven games spanning three months.
“We got back into the game after being under the cosh a bit, got the penalty, scored it, and I felt like I was OK at times.
“But when the last ten minutes of the first half, we didn’t win our individual battles. We gifted them a goal and from there it was not panic stations but we lost control and momentum,” he told the BBC.
Jones was honest about the psychological impact of conceding again before the interval, when Perry Ng blasted a stunner from 25 yards to make it 3-1.
“When they scored a worldie, it just felt like our body language, it’s like we gave up at times, you know?” he added.
“The second half was better, but us as a team, we’ve just gotta try and move forward now because we’ve got another big game on Wednesday [at Wigan].”
The winger won the penalty that briefly levelled the match, latching on to a sublime pass from striker Devante Cole before being brought down by Joel Bagan, yards from goal. He admitted he expected more severe punishment for the challenge, which only earned the defender a caution as he was adjudged to have attempted to play the ball.
“I expected a red card. When he [referee Ollie Yates] told me about some new rule that I didn’t know about,” he said.
Pressed on whether it should have been a dismissal, Jones replied: “No, I’m not going to talk about the referee, but I thought it was a red card.”
While Luton improved after the break, clear chances were at a premium and Jones returned to the theme of individual battles.
“I just felt like we gave better accountability of ourselves in the second half. Never gave up. But at this level, if you don’t win your one-v-one battles, your duels, you’re never going to come out on top. And that’s what happened here today.”
Asked whether Cardiff were the strongest side he has faced this season, Jones was respectful but pointed to his own team’s shortcomings.
“They’re a good team. I wouldn’t say the best we’ve played, but they’re a good team. I just felt like we gave them maybe too much respect at times. But it is what is now we just move on from this result and move on to Wednesday.”
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