Pompey boss Jackett left frustrated by 'very soft' free kick in Hatters defeat

With four minutes to go, George Moncur was felled by visiting defender Anton Walkes just 20 yards from goal, although it appeared he had in fact won the ball.

However, Hooper, who had already awarded Luton a penalty when Kazenga LuaLua went over in the box, thought otherwise and whistled for a free kick that George Moncur expertly bent into the bottom corner to win it for Luton.

Jackett said: “The free-kick at the edge of the box was soft, very soft, but ultimately then through a lot of bodies, Moncur has struck it sweetly.

‘It was a crucial goal and one we couldn’t recover from.

“We just didn’t get the rub of the green with the decisions throughout the game. It happens sometimes – particularly when you’re the away side.

“We’ve conceded two goals in the second half from set-pieces. My impression was that it was a penalty, although I felt we should have had one as well.

“I didn’t think it was a free-kick at the end and Moncur’s struck it very well inside the post, which was decisive.”

Moncur himself thought it was the right decision on the night though, adding: “I know he got some of the ball, but he took my legs out first, so obviously he went through me to get to the ball.

“I thought I was in on goal and I didn’t really see him come across.

"I think he did get the ball, but he went through me first, so I think it was the right decision.”