Jones hails Luton players after recording a milestone victory against Lilywhites

Town chief bags win number 100 on his 200th match in charge
James Collins makes it 2-0 to the Hatters this afternoonJames Collins makes it 2-0 to the Hatters this afternoon
James Collins makes it 2-0 to the Hatters this afternoon

Luton boss Nathan Jones was quick to pay tribute to his players after he marked his 200th game in charge of the club with his 100th win, James Collins’ treble leading the Hatters to an authoritative 3-0 victory this afternoon.

Town’s leading scorer had a brace inside 30 minutes showing wonderful chest control and an unerring finish from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s excellent crossfield pass, before nodding home Glen Rea’s cross.

He then added a third after the break, profiting on an error from the visiting defence to find the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Jones said: “I’m really proud of the players, I’ve thanked them for just the level of performance they gave me today as from start to finish we were aggressive.

“We went out and pressed, these are a good side, the best away record in the Championship, I watched them in midweek, they won 3-0 (against Middlesbrough) and it didn’t flatter them.

“So it was a real top performance and I’m just really happy with the level of how we went about it, how we went out and how we worked, and then to score three and in all honesty we could have had another two more as well.

“But I’m delighted, any win is massive in the Championship, but the manner and the level of the win, I’m so proud of.

“I think it’s probably slightly more complete (than the 3-0 win over Norwich last time out), we just showed a level of workrate and pressing and aggression that is rare.

“I haven't seen that in many teams in terms of what they do, so I'm really, really happy with that.

“Then we were absolutely clinical today.

“The first goal is from a wonderful ball from Pelly-Ruddock and something we’ve worked on all week, in terms of that movement.

“Mick’s (Harford, assistant boss) worked with Collo and he's worked on that ball, so to score from it was wonderful.

“Then to get the second was massive and then it was important we got the third goal as the next goal is always vital when you come out.

“So we went out aggressive, I wanted us to win the first five minutes, is what we said, we did that, we did it against Norwich and got the third, slightly later today, but I felt the performance was outstanding.”