Hatters get their act together

Town nemesis Richard Brodie gave Crawley the lead after just 36 seconds at the Broadfield Stadium, but Town battled back well to claim a point and could even have had all three.

On their terrible start, captain George Pilkington said: “It was a hard fight. We came out like rabbits in the headlights and conceded a very early goal in the first attack of the night.

“We got our act together and started to make it (the 4-3-3 shape) work for us.”

Manager Gary Brabin was also disappointed in the opening, but pleased by the way Luton responded.

He said: “I thought it was always going to be a tough fixture with their just winning the cup but it was an awkward situation and we acquitted ourselves well.

“They were always going to come out of the blocks sharp and are on a crest of a wave. They are full of confidence and came straight at us.

“I thought we were a little bit shaky in the first 20 minutes and they scored straight from the kick off.

“After that 20 minute period we started to play some good football and after getting the goal, I thought we were going to go on and win it.

“I thought we edged the second half and played some good football.

“We had some good chances, I always felt we were going to go on and win it.

“It’s important we keep picking up points as we still haven’t cemented our play-off place.

“The important thing for me is getting the most out of the individuals, but it was a good test for us.

“We tested a few things we are aware of and it’s good practice going into those last few games.”

Both Pilkington and midfielder Paul Carden though were disappointed that Luton didn’t press on for a winner in the last 18 minutes after centre-half Charlie Wassmer was red carded for two bookable offences.

Carden added: “Maybe when they had a man sent off we were trying to force that last one pass too many. In the second half we should have passed it better and been a bit sharper.”