Drury-less Town still manage to shine

HATTERS began life without winger Andy Drury in stunning style by demolishing Darlington 4-0 on Tuesday night, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 27-year-old had left the club for Ipswich Town on Monday and manager Richard Money admitted there had been an air of caution prior to the game.

He said: “I think it was an important game for the team.

“I might be wrong but I just sensed the crowd were a little bit suspicious of how we would perform without a certain player whose gone to Ipswich.

“But I think we’ve hopefully pushed all those doubts and fears to one side in one performance.

“Alex Lawless has done everything that Andy Drury has done so far this season and more.”

His thoughts were echoed by two-goal striker Lloyd Owusu, who said: “Drury was a great player and we’re going to miss him.

“But we’ve got quality in the team anyway. Before I came, the manager didn’t mention just Drury, he mentioned players like Keano (Keith Keane) and Lawless who can put great balls in the box and Claude (Gnakpa) too.

“We’ve got players who have got that capability and if they keep doing it, we’ll get on the end of it.”

The victory saw Hatters leapfrog Crawley Town and close the gap on leaders AFC Wimbledon to one point, as the Dons were hammered 4-1 by York City.

Crawley will go back on top if they win at Kettering Town tonight (Thursday), but Money continued: “I’m not going to deny it (Wimbledon losing) helps, of course it does.

“But we just have to keep focusing on ourselves.

“We’re in really good form, we’ve got a lot of players in really good form and long may it continue.”

Hatters take a break from league action on Friday night when they entertain Gloucester City in the FA Trophy.

Money added: “Luke Graham can play which is a real bonus, and Adjaye (Ed Asafu-Adjaye), (Godfrey) Poku, (Danny) Crow, these people need a run out.

“We will supplement them with one or two of them who played on Tuesday and feel they can go again on Friday, although we probably won’t use players who are involved in the international game in midweek.”