Jones: We couldn't afford to go gung ho against Rangers

Luton boss Nathan Jones defended his side’s approach after they missed the opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw against QPR at Kenilworth Road this evening.

The hosts got off to the perfect start when James Collins put them in front from the penalty spot on 19 minutes after James Bree had been felled by Ryan Manning.

However, QPR then came on strong, dominating the opening exchanges of the second period, as Dominic Ball equalised on 65 minutes, pouncing on a rapid counter from the impressive Bright Osayi-Samuel.

On why he didn't go all out for a victory despite his side's current predicament, the Town chief said: “They’re a very difficult side to play against.

"Tonight they played without a centre forward, had the luxury of some wonderful, wonderful players and were able to experiment being on 53 points.

“They caused us problems in terms of being able to press, so we had to stay solid and make sure we didn't concede, then I probably made changes a little bit too late, but it’s another point.

“I could go gung ho against these sides but I watched the away game the other day (3-2 defeat) when an open team got ripped apart and it could have been six or seven at half time.

"We haven’t got that luxury, we have got to make sure that we are in games to win them.

“At the minute we are giving ourselves an opportunity, we are picking up points every game and that's all we can do.

“It’s very difficult to come out and be purely expansive against some real dangerous sides, because if you do, you’re going to get punished.

“There’s going to be a time for that, but at the minute, it's another point closer to our total.”

Although the result did see Luton trail fourth bottom Charlton by just a single point, the Addicks heading to Birmingham tomorrow, Jones was happy to keep adding to the tally.

He added: “We’ve had to come from a six, seven point deficit, so we’re clawing it away.

"We’re not a side that can go and play gung ho as if you do, you end up with the worst goal difference in the league, so we haven't been able to do that.

“It would have been great to get the win because for all their good play it took a counter attack and for us to be overzealous in our defending.

“If we had just defended it properly and stopped the counter attack, we could have been sat there with a win.

"It happened last week against Barnsley, a scrappy goal, so it’s another point closer to our total.

"We would have loved to have got two wins rather than two draws but that’s the position we’re in.”