Rob Edwards claimed Alfie Doughty was denied a clear penalty by VAR as the Luton boss was left disappointed by an FA Cup draw with League One Bolton that has a knock-on effect for their Premier League relegation six-pointer at Burnley.
Town didn’t get the decision in a stalemate that won’t live long in the memory but will impacts Town’s plans. The required replay means that the Hatters’ clash at Burnley has been brought forward three days, and a day off for players tomorrow has been scrapped so they can prepare.
In truth, though they dominated the second half, Luton were kept at arm’s length for the large part and when they breached that rearguard, keeper Nathan Baxter was on hand making saves.
The one time he didn’t, Doughty thumped a drive off the inside of the post and then appeared to be upended as he collected the rebound. But VAR Tim Robinson saw nothing in it.
“I just think the big decision was the decision on Alfie. It was a penalty on Alfie Doughty,” said Edwards.
“I never moan about decisions going against us, but I’m not sure what VAR was thinking there with that one.
“I think that (referee) Andrew Madley should’ve been told to the screen and have a little look at it. I think that was a big mistake.
“There’s a clash of knees and he’s gone down. If the contact doesn’t happen, Alfie’s around him and cutting into a really dangerous position in the box. It was a pen.”
That was as close to a winner as the hosts came and now one of the biggest games of the Premier League season will come quicker than expected.
“I’m disappointed that we’ve not managed to get the job done today, but the reality is we haven’t and we’ve got to go again,” said Edwards.
“We’ll concentrate on a different schedule now. We were going to be off tomorrow and have a bit more time to plan for Burnley, but now we play Burnley on Friday night.
“That’s just the reality and we’ve got to deal with it.”
Edwards had picked a strong side to try and get the job done in one go, with just four changes, but leaving the influential Ross Barkley and Sambi Lokonga in midfield.
But there was little to choose between them and Bolton in an even first half.
Edwards said: “I respect the competition hugely. It’s a competition I love, growing up watching, and want us to progress in.
“I respect Bolton Wanderers and everything that Evo’s (Ian Evatt) done there and everything they’re doing at the moment.
“I genuinely feel that whatever team I would’ve picked, is strong and capable of winning the game anyway, but I thought I picked a team to win the game today.”
But though Town through in Andros Townsend and the impressive Jordan Clark, they couldn’t find the killer touch.
“It wasn’t to be today,” said Edwards, adding: “The main thing is I didn’t want to go out. I want us to progress. We’re not out of the hat, we’re not out of the draw, but we’ve got to go and do it in a bit more of a difficult way.
“It will be a tough game away at their place.”
But before that, there’s the important task of trying to get a result at Burnley in the Premier League. The game would’ve been on Monday had Town beaten Bolton, but now they must do battle on Friday.
Edwards said: “The Burnley game is really tough anyway, for us. It’s an important game for both of us. There’s enough time to recover so there’s no excuses from my end.”
