Luton's away day misery shows no signs of ending with Plymouth defeat

Luton’s woeful away form shows no signs of ending as they suffered yet another in what is becoming a depressingly familiar defeat on the road at Plymouth Argyle this afternoon.

The hosts did the damage in a first half that they completely dominated, easily outmuscling a timid Hatters, with the only surprise that it took them until injury time to score what proved to be the only goal of the game, such was their obvious superiority. Luton did improve after the break, largely as the hosts looked to hold what they had for long periods, which bar one Nahki Wells chance that was saved by keeper Conor Hazard, they were able to do with considerable ease, Town falling to a fourth defeat from five matches on the road, taking a single point in that time.

Boss Jack Wilshere made one change for the contest, new signing Kasey Palmer handed an immediate debut, surprisingly at the expense of Cohen Bramall who dropped to the bench, where he was rejoined by Lamine Fanne. It saw Palmer take up the attacking central midfield berth, moving Gideon Kodua out to the left, despite his impressive efforts against Lincoln in that role a week ago, but the hosts set the tone in the opening stages, inches away from taking the lead when Matthew Sorinola’s free kick was nodded just wide by Alex Mitchell.

Argyle then had a glorious chance to move ahead on 13 minutes when they outnumbered a frazzled looking Luton defence in the box, with Sorinola picked out in acres of space. He dallied somewhat, but still should have scored, beating Josh Keeley with a low drive, but not Nigel Lonwijk who had done superbly to get back and slide the ball off his line.

Still the hosts attacked, with top scorer Lorent Tolaj looking every inch the kind of player who has 15 goals in all competitions this season, someone who Town fans must be wondering why they hadn’t tried to sign, as he would be perfect in the number nine role for the visitors, an area they are seriously lacking, while Luton forward Bim Pepple posed a real threat as well.

Ronan Curtis sliced wide, before the Hatters briefly threatened themselves, Lonwijk sending a pass through to Wells who had the angle against him, dragging wide. As the rain poured down, the visitors’ defence was standing firm, just, despite Andersen making a crucial block when Malachi Boateng let fly, Kal Naismith also preventing Tolaj from barrelling his way through, and then sliding in to make the striker’s next attempt tougher, Keeley gathering

On the rare occasions Luton created something resembling a chance of their own, Wells put another attempt far wider this time, the ball also dropping for Kodua who miscued on his right boot. As the weather improved for a brief spell, so did Luton, working the ball impressively up the right, a heavy touch denying Wells a shot, while Joe Johnson’s corner caused havoc midway through the half, bouncing close to the line as no visiting player could reach it.

Argyle were quickly back in the ascendancy as their set-pieces and long throws kept Town hemmed in, Mads Andersen leading the defence by getting out to block yet another shot, Lonwijk with a crucial header away too. Keeley came to Luton’s rescue on 38 minutes as Curtis cut in and used his left foot on this occasion, the Irish stopper doing brilliantly to get fingertips to it and push his drive on to the bar, also getting up well to punch the resulting corner away too.

Town had a real opportunity to try and create the opener in stoppage time, but Liam Walsh’s free kick didn't beat the first man and from that, the hosts raced upfield themselves to win a corner. From the delivery, Tolaj got away from his markers to see a header brilliantly saved by Keeley, but ex-Hatter Brendan Galloway then sent an acrobatic overhead kick into the net before Wells could head away, as Keeley’s pleas that it was a high boot fell on deaf ears.

Tolaj shot over as the hosts finished the half on a high, and they continued after the interval, Curtis’s free kick from 20 yards not coming down in time. Luton finally showed signs of life, Palmer racing away and unleashing a blast that saw Conor Hazard called into action, as it brushed his fingertips on the way over.

Argyle wasted the perfect chance to move 2-0 ahead on 52 minutes, as Naismith lost a fifty-fifty in the centre of the pitch which sent Pepple with a clear run on goal. He looked to have done everything right, sitting Keeley down and sidefooting past him, but his shot flashed just the wrong side of the post and Town fortunately kept the deficit at one.

Luton brought on Shayden Morris who was almost involved in an equaliser as Walsh found Kodua on the left, his low cross met by the substitute at full stretch, deflected over the bar before Wells could prod home. The corner saw Town maintain their pressure, Walsh having a go from 20 yards, but sadly it rustled the side-netting and not the back of the net.

With 20 left the visitors created a wonderful chance to draw level as Clark finally found his passing range, slipping Wells in who went clean through and tried to dink Hazard who got enough of a block to slow his shot down, Mitchell back to clear before it crossed the line. Wilshere looked to his bench to bring on Jerry Yates and Bramall as Luton tried to boost their attacking options for the closing stages, but the urgency to even get the ball into the box was sorely lacking.

During six minutes of injury time, it was the hosts who looked more likely adding to their tally, Keeley saving well from Tolaj and Caleb Watts putting the loose ball over. Town almost snatched a leveller with the final kick, a long ball finally pumped into the box and met by Lonwijk, with Clark diving in only to see Hazard smother the ball and ensure the three points remained in Devon.

Pilgrims: Conor Hazard, Mathias Ross, Joe Edwards ©, Lorent Tolaj, Alex Mitchell, Malachi Boateng, Brendan Galloway, Bim Pepple (Kornel Szucs 78), Ronan Curtis, Matty Sorinola, Joe Ralls (Brendan Wiredu 8, Caleb Watts 54). Subs not used: Luca Ashby-Hammond, Jamie Paterson, Xavier Amaechi, Ayman Benarous.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Mads Andersen, Kal Naismith (C), Joe Johnson (Cohen Bramall 78), Liam Walsh, Jordan Clark (C), Kasey Palmer (Jerry Yates 77), Gideon Kodua, Emilio Lawrence (Shayden Morris 57), Nahki Wells. Subs not used: James Shea, George Saville, Christ Makosso. Booked: Ross 45, Curtis 54, Boateng 71, Lonwijk 80, Szucs 84. Referee: Elliot Bell. Attendance: 15,949 (790 Hatters).