Jack Wilshere praised the character of his Luton Town side after they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Mansfield Town, but admitted they should never have been in that position.
The Hatters looked set for a damaging defeat in their push for the League One play-offs before a second-half comeback salvaged a point, with goals from Kasey Palmer and Shayden Morris.
But try as they might, Luton could not force a vital third, though the woodwork twice denied them on the day, so they had to settle for point. It was a haul that looked like it would not be enough.
That’s because Town went into the game knowing that beating the Stags, coupled with champions elect Lincoln beating Stevenage – the team they have to catch to reach the play-offs – would put them in the top six and put play-off qualification in their own hands.
But with 90 minutes played in Hertfordshire, Stevenage were in a 2-1 lead and it looked like the wheels were about to come off Luton’s promotion push. But Rob Street struck in injury time for Lincoln to ensure it is as you were for the Hatters and their nearest geographical neighbours. Though Plymouth’s 3-1 win at AFC Wimbledon has now seen the Pilgrims force their way into what looks like a three-horse race for the remaining play-off place.
Wilshere told the BBC: “The mentality of the players is outstanding. We keep talking about how this game demands that and this level definitely demands that. We feel like we’ve grown with that a lot and we have to keep that.
“We have to keep building on that. The mentality in the second half to keep them under pressure, to keep attacking, different ways of attacking, different chances created.
“But, ultimately, the most important thing is that you put one of them away and win the game. And we couldn’t do that. So I think that’s what the players feel in the dressing room.
The Luton boss made it clear his overriding feeling was frustration after his side gifted the hosts early momentum.
“When you come to a place like this, which we’ve spoken about this season, you can’t allow the opposition to take momentum because their goals gave them momentum,” he said.
“That gave them confidence because, apart from that, they weren’t really hurting us. It was long ball. We had to land on second balls. We had to make sure we did all we could to stop the long balls because they’re good at it. We can’t give the opposition the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead.
“I know we’ve got quality, I know we’ve got personality to come back, but that’s the hard part. That’s harder than doing the basics really well. [I’m] disappointed.”
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