James Collins’ spot-kick problems against Middlesbrough continued with Jordan Archer saving from the striker as Luton were left frustrated with a point.
Town’s top scorer had a penalty ruled out for a double kick up at the Riverside, but he squandered a chance to sett that record straight at Kenilworth Road.
One milestone that was equalled, however, was the club’s previous best Championship tally of 61 points in 2006. Yet, the feeling was that the class of 2021 should’ve surpassed that here.
Boss Nathan Jones said: “I think that’s why we’re not pushing for the top six at the minute, because he because we’ve missed opportunities in both Swansea games, both Middlesbrough games.
“Birmingham here, Forest here, there’s a list of ones where we should’ve taken more. We should have a greater points haul and be closer to those who are challenging for the play-offs.
“But it’s another point, a point against Middlesbrough and we’re saying we should be beating these sides, so we’ve come a long way, let’s not forget that. But I’m disappointed today because I felt that we should’ve taken three points.”
His men were the better side, but only led for less than a minute once Glen Rea nodded in his third of the campaign.
In a generally impressive performance, the midfielder, back in the starting line-up, pounced on the goal-line once Kal Naismith’s header was pushed onto the bar by keeper Archer.
But Boro went down the other end and immediately cancelled out the advantage.
Moments earlier Jones was already bellowing for his players to switch on as they trotted back to restart the game. And his fears were quickly realised when Duncan Watmore’s header deflected in off Naismith.
But Town had the better of the chances, with Jones again apoplectic when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu passed up the best of them after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had played him through on goal.
There was a big penalty shout in the 66th minute when Adebayo tricked his way past Marc Bola and went down in the box. Referee Jeremy Simpson was having none of it, but he was soon pointing to the spot.
Dewsbury-Hall got past Paddy McNair and Boro centre half was adjudged to have brought the Leicester loanee down, though it looked softer than the first appeal.
But Collins, who proved the penalty hero against arch-rivals Watford last month, went for the same corner only to be denied.
But Jones didn’t place any stock in two of his penalty misses this term coming against Middlesbrough, saying: “It’s a different keeper, a different scenario, different stadium, so it isn’t really a bogey team, but you have to finish penalties, especially ones to win games.
“James has done brilliantly for us, he doesn’t miss too many but it’s ironic that the ones he does miss kind of cost us because that probably would’ve been four more points (against Middlesbrough).
“So, we’d be sitting on a minimum of 65 points, but we could say that against Birmingham here, where we had chances, Nottingham Forest, who are down to ten men and we didn’t see the game out. Swansea, both games.
“All these things add up. I don’t think we’ve won a game where we didn’t deserve to. I know a lot of managers will say that, but we haven’t robbed a game when we’ve been battered. We haven’t actually, so let’s take the positives out of it, it’s another point.
“It means we eliminate one more team, so someone can’t catch us, so we’re finishing one place up, so every place is a bonus.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 6
Got away with one cross when the ball didn’t stick and his defence had to hack clear, but didn’t have a lot else to do, bar a few punched clearances and a grateful rebound off the bar late on.
Kal Naismith – 6
Showed a good range of passing when breaking out from the backline. Then he was involved in Town taking the lead and Boro quickly levelling. He had a tricky time against Neeskens Kabano, but should never have been left one-on-one with the winger as much as he was.
Sonny Bradley – 7
Gave Boro short shrift in the air, while a solid block to deny Grant Hall was bettered late on when he got something on George Saville’s shot to send it spinning onto the bar.
Matty Pearson – 7
Threw himself into a brave block to keep out George Saville’s shot, and generally equipped himself very well against a good Middlesbrough forward line, with one late flying header to preserve a point.
James Bree – 6.5
It was his corner that led to the opener, and he could’ve had an assist in the second half but saw James Collins glance wide his deep free-kick. He was generally positive though.
Glen Rea – 8 (star man)
Opened the scoring by nodding in an unmissable goal-line sitter. He was back to his most tenacious in bread and butter work, but he was also much more thoughtful and precise with the ball than he has been in recent outings. Top notch in all facets, even if he was booked in the 75th minute.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7.5
He pulled the strings in midfield and should’ve had an assist when he played Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu through on goal, but his midfield partner made the most frustrating of wrong decisions.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 7
Wasted a great chance to retake the lead, but was otherwise positive in his play, which included a fair bit of inventive thought, with stopovers and flicks, though his touch too often lacked the finesse.
Harry Cornick – 6
He put in one fabulous cross that Grant Hall did well to head over his own bar, but it was one of those days where things didn’t quite come off for him. Replaced on 72 minutes by George Moncur.
James Collins – 5
Saw a second half penalty saved, having never truly looked comfortable at being deployed in a deeper lying role, which didn’t suit him. Replaced on 83 minutes by Sam Nombe.
Elijah Adebayo – 7
Worked well across the frontline to chase and harry defenders, but his hold-up play is exceptional. But he showed that, even with his back to goal, he’s still a threat when he turned Marc Bola to burst into the box, but he hit the deck and Town penalty protests went unanswered.
SUBSTITUTES:
George Moncur – 4
Couldn’t affect the game.
Sam Nombe – N/A
Was close but not close enough to a first ever Hatters goal late on, but not on long enough for a rating.
UNUSED SUBS: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Dan Potts, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Kazenga LuaLua, Joe Morrell, Dion Pereira
The ‘experiment’ of playing both Collins and Adebayo from the start didn’t really work – not sure what the way forward is with that one. Maybe there isn’t a way forward, and Collins will take the opportunity to move on. There’ll be no shortage of suitors. Pity about the penalty – but he doesn’t usually miss. He can be forgiven after what he did against Watford!
As for the Rotherham game, we’ll need to be much more switched on than we were overall yesterday. It’s stating the obvious, but they can still stay up and will be desperate for three points. I don’t care who goes down – as long as we play well and win. Having said that, I’d settle for a draw at QPR!
Drab end of season “on the beach” fare against a typical warnock anti football side. The sooner he and his like retire from the better. His side were only interested in diving and for the 12th time against a warnock side we sunk to his level.got all we deserved.
Collo’s pen summed it up. Poor.
Personally I’d be happy for our ambition for the last 2 games to be to throw it against Rotherham to help relegate the financial cheats and the granny lover. And then throw caution to the wind to hopefully beat qpr.