Luton Town edged past National League side Forest Green Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup on Friday night.
Town had led 3-0 through Nahki Wells (2) and Lamine Fanne, before Robbie Savage’s side scored three goals in 19 second half minutes to level at 3-3. Substitute Gideon Kodua then netted in stoppage time to win it and to find out how the Hatters players rated on the evening, see below.
5. Kal Naismith: 4
Having starred the previous weekend at Sixfields, he found this FA Cup contest a struggle for long periods, giving the ball away in the first half for a Rovers chance and then doing the same early in the second period as McAllister tried an audacious attempt from range that was fortunately off target. Leading 3-0, Town needed their centre halves to step up when Rovers pressed the all out attack button, which they didn't, as although Town got their names into the hat for round two, it turned out being a far, far closer evening than it needed to be. Photo: Pete Norton
6. George Saville: 5
Luton's midfield looked to have the tie wrapped up in the first half, as they moved 2-0 in front with some excellent moves through the centre of the pitch which were too good for their opposition. Almost helped set up a third, when his cross from the left took a nick off an opposition head and was volleyed wide by Wells. With Green looking to bypass Saville and co to get into the box as they hunted a famous upset from 3-0 down, the Northern Ireland international did help Town eventually go through, keeping a calm head to find Kodua in the build-up to win it. Photo: Andy Rowland
7. Liam Walsh: 6.5
Having missed the last six weeks or so, the midfielder was back for his second successive start after beginning against Brighton U21s in the Vertu Trophy. Nipped the ball around well in the first period, as Town cut through twice in the space of 60 seconds, the second one clipped into the net by Fanne to open the scoring. Taken off once the Hatters were pegged back around the hour mark as he continues to get his fitness back and once he was withdrawn, the hosts struggled to keep hold of possession. Photo: Jasper Wax
8. Lamine Fanne: 7
A big influence on the game for Luton as playing in a more advanced role, he broke forward well on 20 minutes to drag wide of the target. Didn't make the same mistake around 60 seconds later, as picked out by Wells' cut back and hammered into the net with a classy finish. Repaid the favour for Town's striker eight minutes into the second period as played in Richards, he kept his head impressively with the keeper rushing out to greet him, knocking the ball across for Wells to have a tap-in. Unable to halt Rovers' comeback from an hour onwards though, replaced just before the Hatters won it. Photo: Andy Rowland