Jones wants VAR after Collins goal wrongly ruled out in defeat at Charlton

Graeme Jones called for VAR to be introduced into the Championship after a James Collins was ruled out incorrectly for offside as Luton lost 3-1 in a big relegation six-pointer at Charlton.

The sides were level after Harry Cornick levelled quickly after Lyle Taylor’s opener, and the attacker burst into the box and saw a shot turned in by Collins.

Replays have since shown that the striker was onside and manager Jones said: “It’s a big boy’s league now, the Championship. Massive, massive money at stake. Certainly, on today’s reflection I would definitely be pro VAR. All you want is to get the right answer.

“We’re all left here feeling a little bit scabby in terms of a huge moment going our way.

“Was it a fair result? You can never judge that. Let’s see what would have happened at 2-1. That’s the disappointment.”

Collins then handled in the area to give Taylor his second goal from the spot and George Lapslie made it 3-1 late on as Town pushed for another leveller, but Jones insisted the game swung on the offside decision early in the second half.

“The footage I’ve looked at he’s onside when it leave Harry’s foot. He’s behind the defender and the ball’s in the back of the net,” said Jones.

“I’ve got no complaints with the lads. The big moment in the game was our offside goal, which we’ve looked at and it wasn’t. They’re huge decisions and it was given against little Luton again, which I don’t like because at 2-1 you’re in the ascendancy.

“Then Collo obviously gives a silly penalty away. We’re chasing the game. I took Glen (Rea) off to try to get another attacker on the pitch and we concede a third goal.

“So, that was the story of the day. I’ve got no complaints from the players in terms of effort and having the temperament to play, but if there was ever a game that swung on a big decision, that was it.

“We’re in a really good moment and if we’d have gone 2-1 up, we understand how to control football matches.

“The first two goals for them are mistakes from us and the game swings on one moment. We’ve scored two goals from open play today and they’re legitimate. Call it luck, judgement or whatever you want, they need to go your way.

“Everybody needs to take responsibility. I know Andre (Marriner) for years and the linesman. (They’re) Premier League officials and my disappointment is we got a huge decision wrong.”

Jones had no complaints about Collins’ handball, which gave Charlton the advantage.  

“It’s a penalty,” he said, adding: “I can’t explain that. James has held his hand up after the game. James Collins is such an aggressive, big heart, want to win for the team type of player. Maybe it just spilled over a bit, maybe too anxious to get out there and obviously you’ve got to keep you hands down. He’s a striker helping out. That’s the only disappointment really, but we should’ve been 2-1 up and it’s a very different situation.”