Lovell thinks Gillingham should have taken three points rather than one at Luton

Posted Sunday, March 17, 2019 by PA

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell was left disappointed his side had not ended Luton’s lengthy unbeaten run during a 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road.

The visitors had trailed twice before impressive full-back Luke O’Neill’s wonderful 25-yard free-kick with 11 minutes to go ensured they picked up a point.

However, Lovell felt the outcome could have been even better for Gillingham, who sit 16th, saying: “We’re disappointed – we should have won it. Brandon Hanlan had three chances in the first half and he should have scored.

“We created more chances today than in our last five or six games. Our two up front caused Luton all sorts of problems. The way we set up, the way we played and the way we took the game to them.

“Even at 2-1 down we kept going and got a great equaliser from Luke.

“It was a great point but it could have been more.

“Luton are on a tremendous run and I knew we had to come here and be on our game defensively.

“We worked all week on keeping to roles and responsibilities as this was a massive point in terms of our league position.

“It’s so close down there, but there are eight games to go and it’s in our hands.

“We have games to play against sides who are around the bottom of the table.”

Danny Hylton put Luton ahead on the stroke of half-time but Gillingham hit back eight minutes after the break through Tom Eaves.

But Jack Stacey’s goal saw Luton go back in front before O’Neill levelled things up.

Luton chief Mick Harford was left with an element of frustration that the Hatters had not gone further clear of Barnsley, after the Tykes drew with Doncaster yesterday evening.

Town, who are now 25 games unbeaten in the league, are still five points in front with eight games to go.

Harford said: “We are frustrated, but you’ve got to give the opposition a little bit of credit.

“We had a real go, we started off very well, it’s been a tough week for us in terms of travelling and games, overall, on chances created, positions we got ourselves into, I think we should have come out winners.

“But they matched us up in the diamond, went man for man all over the pitch and at times they looked a dangerous outfit.

“From the kick-off we went into Danny (Hylton), fortunately Danny chested it into Collo’s (James Collins) path and he hit a wonderful left-footed drive and the keeper made a good save.

“We all thought ‘hello, what’s going to happen here?’ But we never underestimate anyone and we definitely didn’t underestimate Gillingham and the way they play, the way they go about their business.

“I thought they gave us a real good test today.”