Entertaining draw was great for neutral – Ainsworth

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth was glad to see the back of Luton after his side were held to a heart-pounding 1-1 draw by the Hatters.

Matty Pearson’s equaliser ensured that Luton kept up their record of having never lost at Adams Park, with the hosts’ Joe Jacobson scoring one penalty and seeing another saved by visiting keeper James Shea.

The two sides were well-acquainted, having both won promotion from League Two last term, and Ainsworth was relieved that a white-knuckle thrill ride of a game is now over and done with.

“It’s Luton Town – they’re going to score goals,” said the Wycombe manager.

“They’re a good side and it was a great game for the neutral. It could have gone either way.

“What an entertaining game. I’m glad we don’t play them every week because I don’t think I’d be able to cope with it.”

Wycombe took the lead after Sonny Bradley clumsily fouled Matt Bloomfield in the area, allowing Jacobson to convert.

Then, on the hour-mark, Luton’s James Collins handled in his own area and referee Darren England pointed the spot again, despite fierce protests from the Hatters.

After a lengthy delay, defender Jacobson was denied by Shea and with 68 minutes on the clock, Pearson headed home the equaliser.

Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop also ensured his side held on to a share of the spoils with two crucial late saves in a pulsating finale.

Ainsworth added: “I think there’s a massive turning point in the game with the [second] penalty. It gave a bit of belief to Luton.

“If we put that away, we probably see the game out but we’ve conceded a weak goal, if I’m honest.

“Were Luton deserving of a goal today? Yes they were. We probably did enough to get two. I know there were two penalties but we did enough to get two.”

Luton assistant manager Paul Hart thought a point was the least his team’s performance merited, although he reckons that Nathan Jones’ side, who fell behind for the second game in a row, must stop giving themselves mountains to climb.

“There was lots happening – very eventful – but I think we certainly deserved the draw, if not more,” he said.

“If we’d taken all the first halves out of it, we’d have been in the top four so, we’re suffering for our little mistakes at the minute and it’s tough for us.

“But I don’t think there’s any doubt in the quality of the play that we try to produce and the courage that they show.

“To come back as many times as we do is phenomenal and we’ve just got to try to minimise these comebacks and start taking the lead.”