Sloppy Hatters undone by set-pieces as Town score two own-goals in Terriers draw

Championship: Luton Town 3 Huddersfield Town 3
Jordan Clark celebrates putting the Hatters 3-2 ahead against Huddersfield this eveningJordan Clark celebrates putting the Hatters 3-2 ahead against Huddersfield this evening
Jordan Clark celebrates putting the Hatters 3-2 ahead against Huddersfield this evening

Luton's frustrating inability to hold on to a lead at home reared its head again as they gifted opponents Huddersfield three goals, scoring two themselves, in a 3-3 draw at Kenilworth Road this evening.

Following an absorbing first half in which the hosts led 3-2, Elijah Adebayo finally re-discovering his goalscoring touch with a double, they then conceded an equaliser with 20 minutes to go, substitute Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu heading into his own net.

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It was the fourth time this term that the Hatters have led in the second period, only to end up not claiming the victory, frittering away nine points in the process, as they failed to gain revenge over their play-off conquerors from last term.

Town boss Nathan Jones made one enforced change to his starting line-up, Fred Onyedinma in for the injured Reece Burke, Gabe Osho missing out with injury, as did Luke Freeman, Cauley Woodrow and Luke Berry.

Youngsters Casey Pettit and Zack Nelson were on a depleted bench, as captain Dan Potts lined up for his 200th appearance.

Both sides made a decent enough start to the contest, but the visitors went in front on 10 minutes when Sorba Thoma's vicious in-swinging corner, something that was to become a theme for the evening, glanced off the head of Carlton Morris to leave Ethan Horvath with little chance.

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Morris looked to make amends for his error at the other end, rising to put a downward header too close to keeper Lee Nicholls, who immediately got the Hatters' fans backs up with his time-wasting and play-acting, giving them a pantomime villain for the rest of the contest.

It came back to bite him on 18 minutes too, Morris doing wonderfully to bring the ball down and find his strike partner Adebayo, who sidestepped his man impressively only to scuff his shot goalwards, the ball striking Michal Helik and dribbling over the line.

With the attempt originally on target, it counted as Adebayo's goal, the forward on target for the first time since scoring against Blackpool on April 23.

Nicholls was called into action again moments later as Jordan Clark showed terrific technique to unleash a first time thunderbolt which the keeper sprang to his right to palm behind.

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Town's nemesis from the second leg last term, Jordan Rhodes, tried his luck from outside the box, Horvath getting behind it.

Despite being in the ascendancy, the Hatters then found themselves trailing again on 32 minutes, when a corner from Sorba was sent into the box, Helik's downward header striking the hand of Potts for a penalty that was tucked away with ease by that man Rhodes.

To get something from the contest, Luton had to do something they hadn't done in the last six meetings against the Terriers and that was score a second goal, which they did, just five minutes later, this goal definitely belonging to Adebayo.

A hopeful ball over the top from Morris saw the Adebayo of old return as he bullied Like Mbete to get there first, and with Nicholls advancing, impudently sidefooted the ball beyond him to make it 2-2.

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With the Hatters looking to take the lead, Clark did excellently to control a ball in from Bree, and then unleash a low drive that took a nick on its way behind.

However, he was also celebrating on the stroke of half time, after a magnificent run from Bree who picked the ball up almost Kung fu-style inside his own half and simply set off, making it almost toe the edge of the box before sliding in Clark who still had plenty to do, but did it expertly, turning his man and beating Nicholls.

Friday night hero Henri Lansbury didn't reappear after the break, Mpanzu on for his first home appearance since April 2 as the midfielder gained a terrific reception from the Town faithful.

The hosts weren't quite at it in the early stages of the second period, Duane Holmes, who had been such a menace in the play-off matches, dribbling into the box and seeing his cross-shot flash wide.

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Luton tried to lift their intensity, Amari'i Bell speeding forward and seeing his attempt deflect behind, while a terrific crossfield ball from Clark sent Onyedinma away, his ball in palmed away by Nicholls, the rebound coming to nothing.

Jones' side paid the price for not reaching the heights of the first period, as for the third time of the evening, they gifted their opponents a goal, Mpanzu giving away the most needless of corners after a communication mix-up with Onyedinma on 71 minutes..

It was the worst thing to do with a player of Thomas' quality on deadballs, as he whipped over another dangerous delivery that Mpanzu stooped to head into his own net and make it 3-3.

Bree tried to match the Welsh international's set-piece prowess, picking out Adebayo who got underneath his header as it dropped over.

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Horvath was almost left red-faced when a cross squirmed out of his grasp and rolled inches wide, but he redeemed himself by claiming the resulting corner.

With time running out, Luton, who were trying to mount one big finish, saw Allan Campbell divert his header over, with Lockyer's looping attempt claimed by Nicholls, as sub Harry Cornick then sped through, shooting straight at Nicholls.

Huddersfield were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time, midfielder David Kasumu sent off for two bookings in the space of 60 seconds when fouling Clark and Campbell, but Town didn’t have enough time left to make their numerical advantage count.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Fred Onyedinma (Sonny Bradley 80) James Bree, Tom Lockyer, Dan Potts (C), Amari'i Bell, Henri Lansbury (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 46) , Allan Campbell, Jordan Clark, Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo (Harry Cornick 80).

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Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alfie Doughty, Casey Pettit, Zack Nelson.

Tigers: Lee Nicholls, Luke Mbete, Sorba Thomas, Jordan Rhodes (Connor Mahoney 64), David Kasumu, Duane Holmes (Jack Rudoni 82), Etienne Camara (Will Boyle 90), Danny Ward, Ben Jackson (Kaine Kesler Hayden 82), Tom Lees (C), Michal Helik.

Subs not used: Ollie Turton, Josh Ruffels, Nick Bilokapic.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.

Booked: Kasumu 90.

Sent off: Kasumu 90.

Attendance: 9,073 (308 Terriers).