Luton’s determination to return to winning ways impresses Matt Bloomfield

Luton boss Matt Bloomfield hailed his side’s determination to get a much-needed three points after the 1-0 defeat of Doncaster 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters were able to claim the victory, courtesy of Kal Naismith’s 40th minute header, following back-to-back defeats including a 3-1 loss at Lincoln  last weekend.

Bloomfield said: “It was a really important day for us to get three points.

“It’s been a challenging week as we spoke about at length and the boys to show that fight, spirit, togetherness, to come through with a victory was very important.

“I felt like we were in control – had the second goal gone in it would have been a lot more comfortable afternoon – but we had all the territory in the first half, played with a real good control.

“I liked the variety that we played with, when to play in beyond our opposition and when to play into feet, lots to like about that.

“In the second half the game became a bit stretched, there were a few of our players who maybe hadn’t played loads of games this season and the game became a little bit too stretched for my liking. But again we found a way to come through that and hopefully we can improve from here.”

After Lamine Fanne tested visiting goalkeeper Ian Lawlor twice in the first half, Luton took the lead in the 40th minute when Naismith headed in George Saville’s free-kick.

Nahki Wells was then tripped by Jamie Sterry for a penalty on the stroke of half-time which he saw saved by Lawlor, while after the break, Town did not really threaten a second goal.

The visitors were unable to create many chances either, Toyosi Olusanya with a heavy touch and then Luke Molyneux slicing wide in stoppage-time.

Doncaster boss Grant McCann said: “It was a very poor first half, we were not brave enough to get on the ball, didn’t take the ball, quite a few of us were hiding and that really hurts me to stay that. But I’m not telling you any different from what I’ve said to the players.

“That’s the most frustrating element, we conceded off a set-play again, that’s four games in a row where set-plays have cost us games. We don’t get the organisation right, it should have been a different set-up, we’ve done our own thing and that’s really frustrating.

“But we adjusted, we got in at 1-0, Laws made an unbelieve save from a penalty, we improved a bit second half but I’m just really really frustrated because we’ve come to a team who’s under pressure themselves a little bit in terms of results and we haven’t really been able to do anything in terms of chances.”