Jones felt Town made it difficult for themselves during cup triumph over Reading

Joe Morrell wins the ball against Reading this afternoon

Luton boss Nathan Jones felt his side made it harder than necessary for themselves to progress in the FA Cup during this afternoon’s 1-0 victory over Reading.

After a bright start to proceedings, Town scored what proved to be the winner, thanks to George Moncur’s breathtaking volley from James Bree’s cross.

How it was the only goal of the game will remain a mystery as Danny Hylton missed a wonderful chance in the second period, before the Royals wasted a number of opportunities themselves.

Sone Aluko hit the bar, while Simon Sluga made a superb double save from Sam Baldock and Jayden Onen, also denying Tomas Esteves, before in stoppage time, Nahum Melvin-Lambert went clean through to hit the bar, Onen putting the rebound into the stands.

Jones said: “In the first half he (Sluga) didn’t have much to do and I thought we were excellent first half, but then we kind of made it hard for ourselves.

“We didn’t come out of the blocks flying, which is what we wanted to do.

“We gave the ball away too easily and allowed them to break on us and gain the momentum and it was difficult to get it back.

“We made it hard for ourselves, he’s made some good saves, a lot of them were from distance and some they’ve missed.

“It’s good to get in the hat, but we could’ve made it a lot, lot easier for ourselves.”

Moncur’s goal was his third of the season and another marvellous strike as he ghosted in at the far post to display top-notch technique to meet Bree’s hanging delivery and volley into the bottom corner.

Jones added: “He did it against Huddersfield as well, it’s controlled and he does it week in, week out, he’s got real good technique.

“I felt we could hurt them in certain ways and we did that really well in the first half.

“We created a lot of chances and opportunities in and around their box, with just a little bit more quality or a little more conviction, we would’ve gone in further ahead.

“At 1-0 you’re susceptible, they can get back into it and, to be fair to them, they stepped on and we didn’t combat that.

“We had a great chance to make it two, but no-one will remember the chances missed, they’ll remember that we won it 1-0, kept a clean sheet and we’re into the hat.”