Luton suffered another hugely disappointing trip to Stevenage on Thursday night, going down to a 2-1 defeat.
The hosts took the lead through Dan Kemp’s controversial goal in the first half, before an offside Josh Magennis doubled the advantage in the second period. Although Mads Andersen pulled one back, Town couldn’t find a leveller, and to find out how the Hatters players rated, see below.
5. George Johnston: 4
Took a no-nonsense approach to his defending in the first half when Stevenage were at their most threatening, clearing his lines effectively to get the ball out of the box and away from danger, allowing the visitors to regroup. Once the hosts had their lead, allowing Town to have plenty of the ball, he struggled to use it anywhere near as quickly as he should have done, or make use of the space ahead of him, with Luton seemingly happy to keep hold of possession, rather than really ever try to cut through their opponents. Had 132 touches of the ball, which demonstrated just how much the Hatters had it inside their own half to the growing and audible frustration of their travelling support. Photo: David Rogers
6. Joe Johnson: 3.5
Recalled for his first league start of the season, but having had his best outings on the left of the back three, was surprisingly asked to play in the left wingback role and it’s clearly not one he looks or feels comfortable in. Struggled when in possession to ever really commit to driving forward, something so vital in that role, while attempted several unwise backheels that simply didn’t come off, losing the physical battle too. Crossing wasn’t up to scratch either when he did get away, as Town's final ball into the box was a disappointment all night, Palmer heading his best delivery over the bar. Clear he was a centre half playing out of position, so hopefully that will be the end of that experiment. Photo: David Horn
7. Liam Walsh: 4.5
Frustrating game for the midfielder as there was plenty to like at times, one terrific piece of skill early on, plus the way he found angles and moved the Boro players around before slipping a pass through to a team-mate, only for the visitors to fail to make the most of their attacks. Involved in the most controversial moment, as he was clearly fouled by Phillips just inside his own half, only for referee Humphries to somehow allow play to continue, the hosts racing away to open the scoring. Booked himself, as although he barely wasted a pass all game, the disappointment to many watching was that it was usually the safe option, often going sideways and backwards rather than forwards. Photo: David Rogers
8. Dan Gore: 4
Back in the side following the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient, but didn't ever really deliver the kind of holding midfielder performance that Town needed at a place like the SPORTA Arena. Alongside Walsh, the pair just lacked the height and physicality to lay their marker down, as the hosts swarmed around him to catch him in possession at times, meaning that once Stevenage had got through Luton's impressive start, they had little issue in winning the fight, something Wilshere had spoken about beforehand. Another who rarely gave the ball away with his passing, finishing with a 95 percent completion rate, but the main issue was that it didn't lead to anything in the final third. Photo: David Rogers