Nathan Jones said his Hatters should have bagged more than just a point against Championship leaders Fulham, on a day where he claimed the best two strikes in the division scored.
The Londoners’ goal machine, Aleksander Mitrovic, poked in from a corner in the 19th minute – a goal that the Town boss said was offside – but Luton fought back with Elijah Adebayo stooping to head his tenth of the campaign just after the hour.
Late on, substitute Fred Onyedinma was then barged over in the penalty box by Joe Bryan, who got the benefit of the doubt from referee Thomas Bramall, much to the disappointment of the Hatters boss.
“I thought we deserved a bit more,” Jones said, adding: “One, their goal is offside and, two, there was a penalty there, that was absolutely nailed on. I’ve seen the video.
“I can understand why the haven’t given it because I might not want to give a pen against the league leaders at little old Kenilworth Road, but it’s an absolute pen.
“That takes away from the level of performance we showed today. We were passive for the first 15 minutes but after that I thought we were excellent. Front-footed, we pressed and we worked hard. We went after them and caused them real problems.
“I’m really proud of the group today because whatever I ask them to do, they do and that, as a manger, is utopia.”
And in Adebayo the boss has a striker, who might not yet be quite at the ultra ruthless level of Mitrovic, whose goal was his 22nd of the season, but his finish to glance in James Bree’s stunning free-kick, was a moment of pure quality.
Jones said: “If I’m honest, they’re the best two strikers in the league. I say that with the greatest of respect. They’re the best two number nines.
“Mitrovic in the Championship is a top, top player, and Adebayo will get there. That’s the position we’re in.
“We have to recruit smart. We can’t just go gung-ho, with big money, but that’s what we enjoy doing here.”
“He’s probably only ten, 11 months into his Championship career and that’s quite frightening. Everyone says to me, ‘he went to Stevenage and didn’t pull up any trees’. But it’s not just the work we do with the boy. He’s diligent, he works hard.
“Pound for pound, there’s not a striker like him in the Championship and he’s going to get better. That’s a good thing for us because we will reap the benefit. And, we won’t let him rest on his laurels. The good things about him. He’s a good kid, he wants to work hard and when you’ve got that and talent and some genetic attributes then he’s some player.”
Adebayo’s strike came in much deserved style as Town rallied from an opening half an hour where they were thoroughly dominated. At one stage, they’d only managed 29 per cent possession.
Yet, bar Mitrovic’s goal, converted after Sonny Bradley had blocked Tosin Adarabioyo’s header on the goal-line, the Londoners hadn’t pressed home their advantage.
And led by the impressive Admiral Muskwe in the first half, and the classy Jordan Clark in the second, among a host of strong performances – punctuated by Kal Naismith’s mazy runs out from the back – Luton were the better side.
Jones said: “They are the best side in the league. They’re top of the league for a reason, so for us to go toe-to-toe with them shows we’re in a great place. We don’t sit back. We show respect, but no fear and that’s what I’m proud of.”
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