Luton Town saw their weakness in defending crosses come back to haunt them as they went down 2-0 to a West Bromwich Albion side, who went back to the top of the Championship with their victory at The Hawthorns.
The Hatters showed no signs of being overawed in front of a near packed house in the midlands, popping the ball about at will in the first-half, with Glen Rea impressing in front of the back four once again.
If there was a criticism of the Town play in that opening period it was that they struggled to create chances, and paid the price on the quarter hour mark, when the impressive Callum Robinson took advantage of a poor piece of play from James Bree to burst towards the Luton box, his dangerous cross being put into his own net by the unfortunate Donervon Daniels, with Charlie Austin waiting behind for a tap-in.
We saw much more of the Hatters character in the second half as they grew into the game and became the better side for much of it.
Graeme Jones’ men should have been level when Kazenga LuaLua fashioned a wonderful opportunity for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, but the midfielder chose to take a touch rather than shoot first time and his shot was deflected behind.
The game became open and stretched which suited Town, despite them needing Simon Sluga to be at his best to keep out long range efforts from Robinson and Filip Krajinovic and then came the turning point of the match.
Mpanzu burst to the byline and got the better of right-back Dara O’Shea, who looked to bring the powerful midfielder down, only for referee Stephen Martin to wave away the appeals of the Town players and fans right in front of the incident.
The game was then put beyond Town with 20 minutes remaining, when another cross came into their box, with the giant figure of Semi Ajayi breaking free of his man to nod the Baggies back to the top of the table.
The Hatters huffed and puffed after that, with Callum McManaman seeing a good chance blocked, but this spirited display was to end in a 12th successive away defeat in all competitions for Jones’ charges.
