Nathan Jones content with Luton draw but takes aim at ‘terrible decision’

Nathan Jones Luton Town 2022 TEAMtalk1

Luton boss Nathan Jones was delighted with his side’s display but felt they should have had a penalty in the Championship play-off draw with Huddersfield.

The Hatters were underdogs heading into the tie but came away with a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road. Danel Sinani gave Huddersfield a 12th-minute lead but Sonny Bradley equalised to make it 1-1 at half-time. The visitors dominated most of the second period but could not find the net.

It is now all to play for in the second leg at John Smith’s Stadium, with the Terriers favourites to progress. Jones was pleased with what he saw from his charges during the first 45 minutes.

And he felt his men were good value for the draw after blanking the opposition during the second period.

“I thought we were excellent first half, really were front-footed and controlled the game,” he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

“We got hit with a counter-attack, that was probably it, but we had some real good chances and I was a little bit disappointed we didn’t have a lead.

“Second half they came into it, controlled the play a little bit more in front of us – without really causing us massive problems – and I thought we defended our box fantastically well.”

Jones irked by ‘terrible’ penalty call

Huddersfield felt they should have been awarded a spot kick in the opening minute of the contest. Harry Toffolo went down under a challenge from James Bree but the referee ignored the protests.

And Jones believes that is the reason why Robert Jones failed to point to the spot when Cameron Jerome felt he had been fouled in the box.

onny Bradley Luton Town 2022 TEAMtalk1

“It’s nailed on, it’s clear,” he added. “Because they had half an appeal in the first seconds of the game, he hasn’t given it. They don’t have that, he gives it. And it’s a red card.

“It’s last-ditch, he’s brought him down. It’s a real terrible decision.”

The sides will go at it again on Monday evening in Yorkshire, as Luton continue their attempt to reach the Premier League for the first time in their history.

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