Lucky Luton's late winner takes the points

By Hutchy
February 21 2005

Having gained a reputation for pulling late winners out the bag, Luton lived up to their 'lucky' tag when Ahmet Brkovic popped up in the 89th minute to head home and send the Tigers back without a point.

Luton Town 1 - 0 Hull City
Brkovic (89)

The Hatters had most of the play in the first half as City were pegged back and struggled to provide any attacking threat. However the under pressure defence stood firm against the one way traffic keeping out efforts from Brkovic, Robinson and Showunmi. At the other end the Tigers best chance of the match fell to Stuart Green who had a shot saved by Beresford before the interval.

Aaron Wilbraham playing alone up front was once again disappointing and was replaced at half-time by Delroy Facey, who fared little better. However City did improve in the second period and were more commanding without really threatening to take the lead, but they did look to have done enough for a draw.

The strangely subdued home fans were finally aroused a minute from time when Ahmet Brkovic neatly finished Robinson's cross to take all 3 points for Luton and re-establish them as League One favourites with 15 games to go. Luckily for the Tigers both Tranmere and Sheff Wed failed to capitalise on this defeat, however City must now desperately find some form and possibly a new striker if they are to arrest the slide.

Mike Newell: "I don't think Hull could have any complaints over the result. I thought our first-half performance was the best we played for several weeks. Hull had more of the game in the second-half but you do expect that from a team who are second in the league"

Peter Taylor: "I am disappointed with the result, but am still happy with the position we are in. The last four games haven't been good enough, but I have no doubts we will come back strongly. The players have got to stand up and be counted and bounce back to winning ways as soon as possible."

Att: 9,500

Luton Town: (4-4-2) Beresford, Neilson, Coyne, Davies, Davis, Nicholls, Foley, Robinson, Brkovic (O'Leary 90), Vine, Showunmi (Andrew 79).
Subs Not Used: Perrett, Keane, Seremet.

Booked: Davies, Vine, Davis.

Hull City:(4-4-2) Myhill, Stockdale, Cort, Delaney, Edge, Green, Ashbee, Hessenthaler (Price 90), Lewis, Barmby, Wilbraham (Facey 45).
Subs Not Used: Dawson, Duke, Hinds.

Booked: Ashbee

Referee: M Messais