Harford hails ‘professional’ Hatters after tough win over Rochdale

Posted Sunday, March 03, 2019 by PA

Luton caretaker boss Mick Harford felt his side were given a difficult afternoon by struggling Rochdale at Kenilworth Road before stretching their unbeaten Football League run to 22 games.

The League One leaders had to wait an hour to break the deadlock, Danny Hylton scoring his first goal since October after Elliot Lee’s header hit the bar, before James Collins hammered in a clincher in injury time.

Harford said: “It was a very tough game, a real sticky game, they came with a different shape, played five at the back, made it very hard for us.

“They came and had a go in all fairness, played two strikers and they pressed us really high up the pitch, condensed the space when the ball went forward and looked dangerous.

“There was a couple of occasion in the first half where in transition they nearly got in when we were left two v two and a couple of times one v one, so it was a difficult afternoon in terms of dealing with them.

“But I think overall when the game settled down, we knew we would create chances.

“They played a very high line, there was space in behind them, we looked a threat, so I think overall, it was a real, real professional performance.”

Hylton fired Pelly Ruddock’s early cross over and Collins forced Andy Lonergan into a smart parry.

Lonergan made an excellent stop to deny Ruddock after the break and also saved Collins’ downward header, while full-back Jack Stacey was denied by Joe Bunney’s goal-saving block.

Dale manager Keith Hill is optimistic his side – who had Ethan Hamilton sent off late on and are now five points from safety – can get out of trouble.

He said: “I saw plenty of fight, plenty of determination, we made some typically wrong decisions, but I thought they tried to back each other up, which was far better than I’ve seen for a long time.

“It was a pretty intense week, a lot of home truths, and I think that’s the way forward with that type of aggression and fitness.

“We had chances, but unfortunately came up against a better side. There’s no shame in losing, but it’s another loss and we’re losing too many games.

“They get a second ball again, which I’m really angry about and these things are avoidable, but I can see enough fight in the group and if we relax there’s enough ability.”