Town's winning run is ended as lacklusture Luton are held to bore draw by Rotherham

Luton’s four game winning streak was ended in tedious fashion this afternoon as they played out a bore draw with Rotherham United at Kenilworth Road.

With both sides going into the game as two of the in-form teams in the division, an entertaining spectacle had been expected, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case, the Millers setting their stall out early on to gain a point and Luton showing precious little intent or guile to break their opponents down throughout the 90 minutes.

Town made one change for the clash, as with midfielder George Saville suspended and also away on international duty, it meant leading scorer Jerry Yates came into the team for his first league start under the Hatters’ new manager, while attacker Jacob Brown was on the bench for the first time this season having come through an hour for the U21s in the week, joined by midfielder Zack Nelson.

The visitors threatened first on eight minutes, a throw-in initially going wrong on the right hand side, only for Joe Rafferty to drill an excellent volleyed cross into the box which was met by a fine downward header from Jordan Hugill, keeper Josh Keeley moving well to his left and gathering confidently as the attempt skipped up off the greasy surface.

Town absolutely bossed possession in the opening 15 minutes, having almost 90 percent of it at one point, but they preferred to persist with a slow and it must be said rather laboured build-up, which meant the Millers had little trouble in staying in their shape, easily preventing Luton from doing anything meaningful with the ball.

With the Hatters slowing the game down to a walking pace at the back, Teden Mengi often putting his foot on the ball when there was space to advance into and turning back to Keeley, there were the first few groans from the home supporters which led to skipper Kal Naismith holding his hands up to appeal for calm, as eventually Town did mount an attack, Yates unable to flick the ball into the net when the ball dropped to him in an inviting position.

Luton did start to finally up the tempo though, Cohen Bramall in particular having a real effect on proceedings, setting off on some impressive forays on the left, one leading to Liam Walsh’s shot being charged down and then Lamine Fanne’s attempt from range going wide of the target. The hosts did have a huge let off just after the half hour mark though when Mads Andersen hauled down Martin Sherif near halfway, but despite another United attacker looking like he had the run on Naismith, referee Craig Hicks whistled for a foul and booked the Danish centre half, Rotherham’s bench justifiably enraged that play wasn’t allowed to continue.

At the break, Luton brought on Gideon Kodua for Richards, but still it remained the same, United happy in their holding pattern, Town not moving the ball anywhere quickly enough to force them out of it. With precious little happening in terms of goalscoring opportunities, Nelson replaced an ineffective Nahki Wells with an hour gone, the striker failing to have any kind of shot on target.

Finally, Town managed to create something to get the home fans out of their seats, Kodua finding Yates to his right and his cross-shot deflected away for a throw, which disappointingly ended back with Keeley once more, the hosts continually and frustratingly turning down the opportunity to put the ball in the box, which led to the home fans’ annoyance growing with every sideways and backwards pass.

Luton finally showed some intent on 70 minutes, a quick move showing they could do it when they put their minds to it, Fanne finding Nelson who slid in Kodua to his right, the attacker’s low drive gathered by Dawson. Town then managed to win the ball back high up as they got their press right, but Nelson put his ambitious 30-yarder way over the bar when he had players up in support.

Wilshere responded by bringing on Jacob Brown for his first appearance since March, alongside Milli Alli, as the pair almost combined instantly, Alli’s low cross met by Brown’s backheel which dribbled harmlessly through to Dawson. Kodua then tried a snapshot when Mengi’s cross bounced for him in the box as Luton began to display the kind of intent that had been seriously lacking in the 80 or so preceding minutes, but again it didn’t test Dawson.

Late on, Mengi finally did utilise the space in front of him, having a crack from distance that was dragged well wide of the target, an attempt which unfortunately summed up Luton’s attacking play that, as although they climbed a place in the table to eighth, drew yet another blank at Kenilworth Road, making it just five goals in seven league outings on home soil this term.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Izzy Jones, Mads Andersen, Teden Mengi, Kal Naismith (C), Cohen Bramall (Mill Alli 78), Liam Walsh, Lamine Fanne (Jacob Brown 78), Jake Richards (Gideon Kodua 46), Nahki Wells (Zack Nelson 60), Jerry Yates. Subs not used: James Shea, Nigel Lonwijk, Hakeem Odoffin.

Millers: Cameron Dawson, Joe Rafferty (C), Reece James, Joe Powell, Kian Spence, Jordan Hugill (Josh Benson 45), Shaun McWilliams (Dru Yearwood 84), Martin Sherif (Josh Ayres 46, Liam Kelly 90), Denzel Hall, Hamish Douglas, Dan Gore. Subs not used: Ted Cann, Jack Holmes, Harrison Duncan. Booked: Andersen 33, Douglas 83. Referee: Craig Hicks.