Walker whacks home late penalty as Hatters warm up with Wrexham draw

Luton Town 1 (0) Wrexham 1 (1)

A GUTSY draw from battling Luton at least displayed their fighting spirit ahead of the play-offs, writes Mark Wood.

Much-changed Town were forced to come from a goal behind against a second-string Wrexham side as the two teams warmed up for their all-important double header which starts on Thursday.

The shot-shy Welshmen led through an early Louis Moss strike, but Luton made sure they didn’t go go into the play-offs on the back of a defeat thanks to Jason Walker’s late penalty which saw Town end the regular season with a 1-1 draw.

It was a true game of two halves as a lacklustre and frustrating first half gave way to a much better and entertaining second.

The Hatters made five changes to the side that saw off Histon 4-0 at the Glassworld Stadium on Monday. Mark Tyler replaced Kevin Pilkington between the sticks with the latter dropping to the bench.

George Pilkington, Godfrey Poku, Dan Walker and Lloyd Owusu came into side with Dan Gleeson, Amari Morgan-Smith, Alex Lawless and Paul Carden dropping out of the squad entirely.

With the pair facing each other again in a play-off semi-final first leg at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday night the Red Dragons took even more drastic action, making 11 changes from the side that beat Tamworth 4-2 in Wales in their last game.

And, with Wrexham ostensibly fielded an entire second XI, their bench made up of youth teamers.

Semi-skimmed Luton made by far the better start with Ed Asafu-Adjaye’s cross finding Owusu’s head but the big striker could only send his effort straight at Joslain Mayebi.

But second-string Wrexham shocked Kenilworth Road as they grabbed the lead on 13 minutes. Marc Williams was allowed all too easily to wriggle his way past Pilkington and square for the unmarked Moss to tap home from point-blank range.

Dan Walker dragged an effort well wide moments later while Matthew Barnes-Homer smashed a difficult opportunity hight into the advertising hoardings behind the goal.

Despite a strong wind, the Red Dragons were playing the neater football and looking more of a threat.

A wayward Poku effort failed to enliven a dull game while Lee Fowler was carried off after being caught by keeper Mayebi’s trailing leg as he thwarted Barnes-Homer as he looked to race through.

Pass after pass went astray as the Hatters looked sloppy in this dead rubber and Dan Walker could only spoon an opportunistic effort well over the unguarded goal after Mayebi had had to head clear.

Wrexham skipper Jamie Tolley drove a free-kick well wide on 35 minutes and at the other end a couple of Robbie Willmott crosses showed promise but found no takers.

Declan Walker’s fine defensive header prevented Owusu from getting on the end of Willmott’s fine centre and Willmott’s long-ranger in the third minute of stoppage time was straight into Mayebi’s midriff as the referee’s half time whistle came as a blessed relief as he brought an excruciating half of football to a close.

Town started the second period with more impetus and Willmott drove on from Barnes-Homer’s flick-on five minutes in but his low shot was easily saved by Mayebi.

Poku’s daisycutter thudded into the advertising boards while Zdenek Kroca chested Willmott’s cross into the path of Barnes-Homer who could only volley wide of the mark.

With the decibel level at Kenilworth Road rising the Hatters responded. Substitute Adam Watkins’ shot across goal was turned round the post by Mayebi and from the resulting corner Adam Newton’s powerful header was turned over the bar by the Wrexham stopper.

Wrexham broke at the other end and only a fantastic sprawling stop from Tyler denied Williams from Adrian Cieslewicz’s cross.

Town substitute Alex Lacey almost had an instant impact after replacing skipper Pilkington. A quick free-kick released Watkins and his far post cross picked our the young defender whose downward header was turned over the bar by Mayebi on 69 minutes.

The Wrexham stopper then beat away Newton’s half volley and it became all Luton as the Hatters pressed relentlessly for an equaliser.

Good work by Dan Walker and Barnes-Homer set Watkins up in the box and, although his effort seemed to hit an arm, nothing was given.

And Town finally scored a well-deserved equaliser with two minutes to go. Dan Walker showed great endeavour to chase down a ball over the top and just as he looked to hook it back from the byline Anthony Stephens dived in to give away a silly penalty that Jason Walker gratefully smashed down the middle much to the delight of the Kenilworth Road end.

Substitute Rob Salathiel headed harmlessly over at the other end while Jason Walker rose majestically to head Asafu-Adjaye’s cross tamely at Mayebi deep into stoppage time.

Watkins had one effort blocked and sliced another well wide as Luton couldn’t quite find a winner ahead of their must-win play-off semi-final tie against the same opponents.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Luke Graham, George Pilkington (C, Alex Lacey 67), Adam Newton, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Robbie Willmott (Adam Watkins 58), Zdenek Kroca, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Godfrey Poku, Dan Walker, Lloyd Owusu (Jason Walker 73). Substitutes not used: JJ O’Donnell, Kevin Pilkington.

Red Dragons: Joslain Mayebi, Marvin Andrews, David Brown, Marc Williams (Anthony Stephens 72), Johnny Hunt, Adrian Cieslewicz, Jamie Tolley (C), Jordan McMillan, Declan Walker, Lee Fowler (Steve Tomassen 25), Louis Moss (Rob Salathiel 83). Substitutes not used: Matty Owen, James Colbeck.

Referee: S Ross.

Assistant Referees: A Neil and A Pashley.

Fourth Official: R Smith.

Attendance: 6,443 (Wrexham 232).

Star Hatter: Ed Asafu-Adjaye. Really staked his claim for place in the squad for Wales.