Luton suffered a bitterly disappointing defeat to Reading in League One last night.
The Hatters had trailed 2-0 to Lewis Wing’s penalty and a fine strike by former player Jack Marriott, only to hit back and level thanks to goals from Jordan Clark and Nigel Lonwijk. However they were then breached again when substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan went through to win it and to find out how the visiting players rated on the evening, see below.
1. Josh Keeley: 4
Decision-making has to come into question as he was unnecessarily rash at times, no more so than when he came dashing off his line early on to try and beat Kyerewaa to the ball, making it easy for the Reading attacker to go over his body and win a penalty that Wing tucked away. Yet again he opted to punch a high ball clear when under little pressure afterwards, although was afforded no chance with Marriott’s clinical strike. With Luton having just levelled and Ehibhatiomhan played through, then despite the angle being against him, he decided to try and meet the forward when he could have stayed at home, as the sub notched the winner. Photo: Leila Coker
2. Nigel Lonwijk (STAR MAN): 7
Made some good tackles and recoveries in the first half as he continued to get stuck into what is a right back role that manager Wilshere admitted he isn't best accustomed to. Used the ball well as the Hatters dominated possession, while with shouts of 'shoot' from the away end when the ball was played out to him some 25 yards from goal, he did exactly that, hammering a superb shot beyond Pereira and into the net, drawing Luton level with his first goal of the club. Unfortunately it counted for little though as Reading went straight down the other end to win it. Photo: Andy Fitzsimons
3. Kal Naismith: 6
Stayed on the left of the back four as he sent over a corner that saw Wing turn the ball towards his own goal, keeper Pereira forced to punch away. Turned down one chance to play the ball up the wing early in the first half, maybe still having the reaction from away fans at Leyton Orient in his mind, opting for the simple pass instead, as he kept hold of possession well. Was doing a solid enough job until he went down holding his calf on the stroke of half time and unable to carry on, was replaced by Morris. Photo: Pete Norton
4. Mads Andersen: 4.5
Yet again he completed the most passes from anyone in a Town shirt, as the Hatters looked to move the ball around their back-line to break the press, which they were able to do more often as the game progressed. Did okay in the air, but the Royals always looked dangerous when they tried to get in behind Luton's back four, with his lack of pace an issue against Marriott and co. Found himself too far apart from centre half partner Mengi at times, which allowed the Reading forwards space to work with, none more so than when Ebhatiomhan escaped late on to win it. Photo: Andy Fitzsimons