Hard-working Hatters denied victory by dogged Chester

Skrill Premier: Chester 1 (1) Luton Town 1 (1)
Tamworth v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 43.Tamworth v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 43.
Tamworth v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 43.

Promotion hopefuls Luton were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Chester this afternoon as their hosts dug deep at the end to preserve a point, writes Mark Wood.

The Hatters bossed the start of the first half and deservedly took the lead through Andre Gray’s powerful low strike. But City levelled through Gareth Seddon’s brilliant low strike as they dominated the rest of the first half.

However, the Hatters had the better of the encounter and only a series of fantastic blocks denied them a winner, while Jonathan Smith’s last-gasp effort flashed just wide of the post as Town had to settle for just a point.

A season-high attendance at the Deva Stadium of 3,291 was boosted by a large number of Hatters who made the six-hour round-trip to Cheshire.

Despite staying just 25-miles away overnight, a road closure caused the Hatters to arrive late as kick-off was pushed back by 15 minutes.

Luton made just one change to the side that triumphed 2-1 at Braintree on Tuesday night, Luke Guttridge coming into the starting XI as Jake Howells dropped to the bench.

Town made a decent start as Gray dragged wide two minutes in before drilling an overly ambitious effort from range over after Paul Benson’s exquisite touch from Scott Griffiths pass had been laid expertly into his path.

It was a bright and busy start from the Hatters who were straight on to the front foot, but skipper

Ronnie Henry could only lash well wide from outside the box after John Danby had punched out Guttridge’s cross.

And Town made their dominance pay as they took a well-deserved lead on 11 minutes. Alex Lawless headed the ball back into the area and Gray, with his back to goal, wriggled free before turning and drilling into the bottom right-hand corner.

The Hatters continued to boss the opening stages as Ross Killock gave the ball away in a dangerous position on 17 minutes and Guttridge sent Gray clear but, having skipped past his man, Killock recovered superbly to block a great chance.

The energetic Smith had a volley blocked and Lawless rolled a tame effort straight at Danby before City started to fight back.

Strong appeals for a penalty were waved away on 20 minutes when Seddon’s acrobatic overhead kick seemed to came off Steve McNulty’s arm from point-blank range and behind for a corner, while Killock’s looping header was easy for Mark Tyler.

However, Chester did level on 23 minutes when the ball ran kindly for Seddon 20 yards out and his low drive left Tyler clasping at air.

It was suddenly all the hosts as Craig Lindfield threatened to break on to McNulty’s weak back header before Alex Lacey finished the job.

Smith was booked as he caught his man late, but referee Darren Handley seemed content to let plenty go as Chester proceeded to enjoy a number of slightly controversial decision.

The hosts continued to push as they looked to take the lead, having one shot blocked while another corner flashed across the box.

Hesitancy between Tyler and his two centre-halved led to some confusion as the game finally started to settle down.

Smith dragged a non-threatening effort well wide before the Seals almost grabbed a second a minute before the break when Seddon’s flick ran nicely for Craig Mahon and his effort swerved just past the far post.

Danny Higginbotham was forced into a brave block seven minutes into the second half when he threw himself in the way of an Alex Lawless piledriver.

Danby then had to be aware to hold Benson’s fine flick header from Henry’s cross as a cagier second half ensued.

More good combination play saw Lawless release Gray on 64 minutes, but Killock produced another fine block before Smith’s driving run set up Lawless, but he could only curl wide.

Mark Cullen replaced Benson on 66 minutes as Town continued to break forward to good effect, but without being able to find the killer ball.

Luton looked to claim victory as they brought Howells on for Guttridge with 18 minutes to play.

Great play by Gray ended in his cross-shot being turned away by Danby, was the visitors looked to finish strongly, while Griffiths’ lasered effort from fully 35 yards with nine minutes to go looked to be heading in, only for it to hit the unwitting Cullen in the box.

Lawless was then replaced by Shaun Whalley as Town used up all of the subs going into the final minutes.

A dangerous late City free-kick beat everybody in the box , while Howells’ tantalising cross was somehow ushered away by the hosts, before Town almost grabbed victory in stoppage time when McNulty chested the ball into the path of Smith but his dipping volley flashed inches wide of the far post as the hosts hung on for a draw.

Blues (4-2-3-1): John Danby, Jason Jarrett, Craig Lindfield, Lewis Turner, Kevin McIntyre, Ashley Williams (Michael Kay 90+1), Danny Higginbotham (C), Gareth Seddon, Craig Mahon (Joe Heath 90+3), Ross Killock, Chris Lester. Substitutes not used: Paul Linwood, Conor Wilkinson, Jamie Reed.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless (Shaun Whalley 82), Scott Griffiths, Andy Parry, Luke Guttridge (Jake Howells 72), Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson ( Mark Cullen 66), Andre Gray, Alex Lacey. Substitutes not used: Elliot Justham, Jim Stevenson.

Booked: Smith 30.

Referee: Darren Handley.

Assistant Referees: Matthew Donohue and Ian Johnston.

Fourth Official: Mark Powell.

Attendance: 3,291 (Luton 890).

Star Hatter: Tenacious, committed and battling performance from the experienced full-back.

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