Glen Rea waited two years to score a Luton goal and then ended up scoring for ten-man Nottingham Forest as well as the Hatters threw away two points in a bemusingly below par second half.
The Hatters were by far the better team in the opening period and had two big shouts for a penalty, the second in a flash before the opener, that came two years and eight days after the goalscorer’s last.
Back in the side after after missing the victory at Sheffield Wednesday with a broken nose, Rea stroked into the bottom corner after Martin Cranie had been taken out by Lyle Taylor.
Thankfully referee Tim Robinson didn’t blow immediately, and then in the final stages of the first half he took his time to assess the situation after Nicholas Ioannou clattered into Cranie with his studs up. After a long consultation with his assistant, the man in the middle reached for the red card and, at that point, everything looked rosey for the hosts.
But they were thoroughly outplayed an outworked by the ten men Reds after the restart, with Rea heading into his own net just after the hour mark.
Town boss Nathan Jones said afterwards: “The second half performance we were passive, lacklustre, didn’t start on the front foot and that enabled us them to get a foothold in the game and to gain a bit of confidence.
“We didn’t go after the jugular and that’s something that we’ve been used to doing in the past, but this is relatively new level in the past and it showed.
“I’m disappointed because in the first half I thought we were excellent at times. We moved the ball, caused them real problems, but this is a really good Nottingham Forest side, let’s not forget about that, but in the second half we just allowed the game to get slow and passive without any real penetration.
“And, ultimately, they nicked a goal from something which we’ve highlighted.”
Town perhaps would’ve crumbled this time last year after gifting Forest a way back into the contest, so there’s some cause for optimism that they saw out the final 36 minutes without further damage.
They didn’t deserve to, but they could even have won it late on by substitute Jordan Clark, put clean through by Sonny Bradley, fluffed his lines.
PLAYER RATINGS:
SIMON SLUGA – 6
Saved at the feet of Lyle Tayler with Forest’s first attack on 20 minutes. His kicking was a bit nervy in the first half, but his decision-making was good. He had no chance with the equaliser, but saved well late on from Ryan Yates.
MARTIN CRANIE – 7 (star man)
Set up Glen Rea for the opening goal and took a whack from Lyle Taylor that should’ve earned a penalty if the ball hadn’t hit the net. He then took studs to the shin from Nicholas Ioannou, who was sent off and was one of the better performers in the second half. In fact, he’s become one of Luton’s most consistent players.
SONNY BRADLEY – 6
The skipper headed the ball down to from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner for Glen Rea to eventually score from and provided what should have been an assist for a late winner for Jordan Clark.
MATTY PEARSON – 6.5
After a turbulent week last week, the centre half kept a close eye on Lyle Taylor inside the penalty area and threw his body in harm’s way to keep the striker out.
TOM LOCKYER – 6
Combined with Matty Pearson to make a good block to keep out Lyle Taylor. Replaced by Jordan Clark in the 77th minute.
RHYS NORRINGTON-DAVIES – 6
Took a high position, hugging the touchline when Town attacked in the first half, but he was left outnumbered for the equaliser, which saw Cyrus Christie afforded room and space to whip it onto Glen Rea’s head.
GLEN REA – 5.5
Scored the opener after returning from one match away with a broken nose. It was his first goal in two years, but he cancelled that out with an own goal equaliser. Booked in the 73rd minute of an error strewn second half.
KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 6
Very neat in possession and brought his dancing shoes with him to glide past players. He kept Town’s midfield ticking over very smoothly in the first half, but far quieter in the second period. Replaced by George Moncur in the 84th minute.
PELLY-RUDDOCK MPANZU – 6.5
Made a fabulous tackle to prevent Forest from countering, which is the sort of thing 10,000 Hatters would’ve greatly appreciated had they been here. And when in attack played some intelligent first half through-balls. Booked on 55 minutes.
ELLIOT LEE – 6
Some neat touches in the first half and helped out in defence well, but save for a five minute spell early in the second half, he saw little of the ball. Replaced by Kazenga LuaLua on 77 minutes.
JAMES COLLINS – 6
Returning from self-isolation after testing positive for Coronavirus, he was quiet but didn’t really get much service. He should’ve earned a penalty early on when his shot was handled.
SUBS:
KAZENGA LUALUA – 5
Twisting and turning but could help change the game for Luton.
JORDAN CLARK – 5
Had a big chance to win it late on but went for the near post and got nothing.
GEORGE MONCUR – N/A
Not on long enough for a rating.
Unused subs: James Shea, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Danny Hylton, Joe Morrell
