Town stars agree result in Wales is a must

Bitter experience has taught them as much following their elimination at the same stage in last season’s Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs against York and losing out to Mansfield in the FA Trophy semi-finals this term.

Both times Luton lost the initial away leg 1-0 and they know must do better tonight in Wales.

Captain George Pilkington said: “Both times we came back to Kenilworth Road chasing the game.

“We want to come back with at least a draw.

“I’m focusing on the play-offs and we will be tight on Thursday and be up for it.

“We’ve got to go there to win the game. With the players we’ve got in our team and players in good form and offensive players we can score and we have to keep it tight at the back.

“Your targets change and Eastlands is obviously the target. We have got to be fully focused on these play-off games because if you look too far ahead it can go horribly wrong.”

His views were echoed by both talented youngster Jake Howells and experienced keeper Mark Tyler.

Howells, who seems likely to figure at left-back, believes they can get a result, saying: “I think everyone is happy and everyone is playing with a smile on their faces.

“Everyone is in form and a few people have been rested her and there.

“Hopefully we will get something up there and hopefully get to Manchester City.

“We knew straight away from the experience last year whichever team we got will be a tough game.

“It’s more important we get something up there. At York we lost in the last minute and it killed us in the game at home.

“I think we have got a better squad and can get something up there. But anything can happen in the play-offs.”

And Tyler is looking forward to the chance of propelling the Hatters back into the Football League.

He said: “It’s where they belong. We had the disappointment of last year. We don’t want to go through that again. Disappointment in the trophy. It’s two games and anything can happen but we will go there in confidence and hopefully get the right result.”

Young winger Dan Walker is also confident that Luton can regain their rightful place in the football league.

He said: “We know it depends on these last three games. There will be a lot of nerves around the place but with a great deal of confidence.

“We’ve got the best squad out of the four in the play-offs. I don’t see any reason we can’t get promoted.”

And the winger, who claimed the Goal Of The Season award at Luton Town Supporters Club’s awards night on Sunday declared that whoever gets the goal that takes them up should get his award, adding: “Whoever scores the winner deserves this trophy.”