Luton scrape by in NE

Luton rode their luck at times in a rusty performance after a long lay-off, but fortune went with them and they brought home the three points.

Gateshead, in front of their largest crowd of the season at the International Stadium, missed plenty of chances to have come away with something from the game, but a glaring error from the otherwise solid keeper, Farman, gifted the points to the Hatters.

In the 30th minute a cross-cum-shot from Gnakpa seemed to be meat and drink for the keeper but somehow he managed to fumble the ball from hands through his own legs and over the line as he frantically tried to rescue the situation.

Luton rarely caused the keeper any concern but must have caused plenty for manager Richard Money.

Just as they had done at Luton earlier in the season, Gateshead were quick out of the blocks and caused problems fore the Hatters from the outset. Luton were slow into gear and were fortunate not to have gone a goal down early on as they had done at Luton.

Graeme Armstrong hit the crossbar within the first minute with what looked like a cross which drifted in the wind and completely bemused Hatters keeper Pilkington who had just signed an extension to his loan deal for another month.

Hot on the heels of that scare Daryl Clare almost scored from a well hit volley saved well by Pilkington. McDermott and Gate fired in speculative long range efforts but to be fair, didn't trouble the Luton keeper, before Luton got into any sort of rhythm themselves.

Jake Howells and Claude Gnapka responded with speculative efforts of their own but keeper Farman looked in good form and made light of them, before clip in from the right ended up in the net to gift Luton a lead they hardly deserved.

Armstrong should have levelled with a free header as he stood unmarked from a free kick sent long by McDermott, but could only head tamely at a grateful Pilkington.

Luton will have benefitted from the run out but they can be thankful for a falg from the assistant referee for ruling out a shot from outside the area which was deflected into the Town net, for offside.

Luton looked to have missed the hold up play and clever lay-offs of Kevin Gallen, and personally I hope that no one comes in for him as we don't look half the team we can be when he is absent.

A bit of a bad day at the office for the Hatters but three very important points in the bag.

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