Luton 2 Millwall 2: Late OG earns Town ‘fair point,’ says boss Jones – Report and reaction

Nathan Jones conceded his men earned a “fair point” against Millwall as they twice came quickly from behind with a late own goal equaliser to keep their play-off hopes ticking along. 

Town were second best in a first half when a physical Lions side bullied them at times and took the lead on 25 minutes through a superb shot from Tom Bradshaw. 

But Elijah Adebayo finished a stunning move that went through Henri Lansbury, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Amari’i Bell before he clipped in off the far post for his 16th of the campaign. 

Harry Cornick saw an early second half chance saved one-on-one with Bartosz Białkowski and though Town were superior side at that point, Millwall swooped at speed on the counter with Benik Afobe smashing in Oliver Burke’s cross. 

That was in the 81st minute and it was starting to feel like another London smash-and-grab, like their last defeat at Kenilworth Road against Queens Park Rangers. 

But Robert Snodgrass was sent on and in the 87th minute he delivered a free-kick that caused panic in the Millwall penalty area with Jake Cooper put through his own net.

Afterwards Town boss Jones said: “Actually, we played better against QPR than we did against these. We were robbed and I don’t think at any point that QPR were ever going to beat us on the day, but that’s what happens when we play them. 

“It was a tough game today. In the first half, they probably shaded it, doing the basics and doing things right. But in the second half, I thought we were excellent, I really did. 

“We had a glorious opportunity early on with Harry Cornick and it was a game of margins. It was a tough game but, to be fair, it’s a good point. 

“If we’d have lost the game, they’d have been three points closer to us, so it was important we didn’t lose today.

“Some of have drawn, some have lost, some have won, so it just keeps us going. There’s seven to go and it’s going to be a really tough end to the season, but I’m really delighted with the application. 

“The second half performance was more us, really in the ascendancy and I thought we were the better team in the second half.

“But it’s probably a fair result on everything because they’ve led twice so they will be disappointed that they didn’t see the game out.” 

Talking of the contribution of Snodgrass –  who has only played a combined 30 minutes since his move on a free after the transfer window shut in January – Jones said: “We brought him here, not because of his youth and exuberance, but for his quality and his class. We have plenty of youth. 

“Now, picking the bench, you have to pick different scenarios and the ones that went on really did make an impact. Fred (Onyedinma) did, Cameron (Jerome) did.   

“I probably could’ve been a bit bolder in my selection. We went with a back three that’s a bit more tried and trusted, whereas in recent weeks, they were probably eye-openers, the back three, but they’ve been excellent, outstanding and front-footed, so there’s maybe a learning curve there.”

Jones had recognised centre halves Kal Naismith and Tom Lockyer to pick from this time, but though they conceded twice, Town showed enormous character to get themselves back in the contest after celebrations for Millwall’s second gave the Londoners the impression they’d snatched victory. 

“It just reiterates we’ve got great character,” said Jones, adding: “I think we know we’ve got great character, we can go toe-to-toe with people, we can go away and win. We can be decimated by injuries and we can win.

“All those things happen and they show character as they want to do something, and with seven games to go we’re right in the mix, two points with a game in hand on Huddersfield. We’ve got to go to them next week.

“It’s a wonderful position to be in and we’re really happy, it’s a long way to go but it shows we’ve got character, shows we’ve got energy, shows we’ve got certain characteristics that you need to do well in the Championship and we are doing well.”