Jones felt Luton deserved Robins victory after excellent second half display

Kal Naismith gets close during the 3-2 win at Bristol CityKal Naismith gets close during the 3-2 win at Bristol City
Kal Naismith gets close during the 3-2 win at Bristol City
Town chief hails the impact of his substitutes at Ashton Gate

Luton boss Nathan Jones felt his side got their rewards for an excellent second half display as Town came from 2-0 down to beat Bristol City 3-2 at Ashton Gate this afternoon.

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The visitors had looked like they were on their way to defeat at the break, Nahki Wells and Adam Nagy both profiting from defensive errors to put the Robins in the driving seat.

However, Jones brought on James Collins and Harry Cornick for the second period, with both on target either side of Eljah Adebayo’s clever finish, to score three times in 16 minutes and ensure the points went back to Bedfordshire.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “We didn’t do the basics right first half and that’s what we can’t forget as we’re a side that’s built on doing the basics well.

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“Hard work, defending well and if you don’t do that at this level you’ll get punished, as Nahki Wells is a very good footballer.

"The second goal is a disgrace from our point of view, in terms of giving the ball back to them, we just go lazy and allow them to get the first header, we’ve got no numbers and it’s exactly like the Blackburn goal, that’s a disgrace for us, I’m really disappointed with that.

“You go in and think, ‘wow, where has that come from?’ As we had chances, we scored a perfectly good goal, which the referee felt he made an error from the corner, so what he did was he evens it up, which was wrong but that’s what happened.

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“Then second half we were just more us, we were on the front foot, we were aggressive, we went after them, we got a goal, belief returns, we do the basics, and there was only ever going to be one winner second half.

“Once we got first, we went after the second, once we got the second, we went after the third, to be honest with you we had quite a few chance.

“Collo’s had a chance right after half time, there was a lot of scrappy ones that bounced around that could have gone anywhere, so on balance of everything, thoroughly deserved.”

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Jones knew at the break he had to alter his side, bringing off Ryan Tunnicliffe and Kazenga LuaLua to beef up Town’s attacking options.

He added: “You’ve got to go after the first goal, we made positive changes and we usually do, we had to do that against Sheffield Wednesday when we didn't do well first half and then when we step on to teams and do things well, we're aggressive, we’re a good side.

"We’re 11th in the league, with a game in hand that could take us up to 10th or ninth so we have to be doing something right.

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“When they forget or when they go lightly, they've had to earn their way to get here, and they have to earn their right to be here and impact at this level, and then when we’re a different side.

“We got punished because first half even though we moved the ball really well and did certain things really, really well, we didn't do what we do well and that was the thing that disappointed me.

“But I’m delighted with the win, lets not have any negatives about it.

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"It's a great way to win a game, Harry Cornick getting the winner, both your subs getting a goal, three strikers getting a goal and it couldn’t have been a better afternoon.

“Lessons to be learned, but absolutely delighted and really proud as Luton manager.”