E-mail Article Print this story

Luton boss Gary Brabin

Related Links

• Teams
• Luton Town
• Mansfield Town

Luton 0-0 Mansfield

Mansfield Town were left to rue what could have been after they had a late goal disallowed against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday.

The Hatters came close to claiming the lead in the first period but Janos Kovacs' close-range effort hit the bar, while skipper George Pilkington denied Mansfield with two goal-line clearances.

Luton had an early chance to grab the lead but Amari Morgan-Smith fired straight into the arms of goalkeeper Alan Marriott from 20 yards.

Mansfield also had a glorious opportunity to claim the lead on ten minutes but defender Pilkington did well to cover for his namesake by heading Adam Smith's effort from 20 yards off the goal line.

On 21 minutes Kovacs hit the bar with a close-range effort, and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble the ball was crossed to the back post where the towering defender headed over narrowly.

The hosts created more than enough chances to score but a lack of cutting edge let them down as Stags 'keeper Marriott dealt with most efforts on his goal with ease.

Kovacs had another good chance in the dying moments of the first period but his header flew just inches over the crossbar.

It was much the same story after the break as Mansfield defended well but struggled to create any clear-cut chances at the other end of the pitch.

However, Luton were caught on the back foot in the 82nd minute when Ross Dyer helped the ball into the area for Matthew Green, who managed to beat goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington to the ball.

Green looked to have scored a certain goal but the referee waived play on after George Pilkington cleared the ball off the line, once again.

The forward was certain the ball had crossed the line and subsequent replays showed he had every right to feel aggrieved by the decision.

Mansfield piled forward in the last few minutes but an effort from substitute Louis Briscoe failed to give Pilkington any trouble.

Luton bookings: Taylor.

Mansfield bookings: Riley, Roberts.

Ref: Bull.

Att: 5,261