Carlton Morris became the first Luton player since Iain Dowie in 1990 to score in three consecutive top-flight games at Kenilworth Road, but was only left feeling frustrated to lose 3-2 to Aston Villa at the death.
The striker bagged his eighth of the season and fifth of 2024 to get Town back on terms ofter Ollie Watson fired a first half double for the Villans.
But, after dominating the second period, and looking the most likely to get a winner, with Morris having the best chances, it was Lucas Digne who broke Hatters hearts with a 90th minute header.
“(I’m) really disappointed. Another occasion of the performance being there, but us not coming away with any points which is frustrating,” said Morris.
The 28-year-old, whose three-game scoring run in February also saw him match a top-flight consecutive three-game scoring run set by Mick Hartford in 1992, said of his return to form: “That’s my main job as a forward, creating goals and scoring them, but it’s extremely frustrating when it doesn’t follow with a result.
“But I’m just going to keep working hard, keep the team positive, it’s a humble hard-working group, that’s what we do, and that’s what’s going to get us out of this fight.”
Town were distinctly second best in an opening half against Villa where Amari’i Bell went off inured to add to the defensive crisis. And for the third home game in a row, Luton conceded at least two goals before the interval.
But they were a team renewed after the break and Morris played his part in Tahith Chong’s goal to make it 1-2, heading back into play after Reece Burke was denied spectacularly by Matty Cash and then by World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.
The performance continued past Morris leveller and, but as there was against Liverpool, Arsenal and Burnley there was a late sting awaiting the Hatters, and Moussa Diaby picked out Diane at the death. It was only Villa’s second shot of the half.
Morris said: “The first half wasn’t really us, we were losing too many duels, we weren’t really at the races and second half was like the switch flicked, and that was us second half, performance-wise, but it’s disappointing not to come away with any points.”
