adminMARVELOUS Nakamba clocked another 84 minutes of first-team football as Luton Town conceded a late penalty in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Preston North End at Deepdale in the English Championship on Wednesday.
The Zimbabwe international is now enjoying good game time after a frustrating spell at Premiership club Aston Villa where he was frozen out of action.
He should have been celebrating a victory but a wasteful performance in front of goal by his team saw Luton take a point instead of three.
The Hatters missed a number of excellent chances throughout the contest against a poor home side, who had Ben Whiteman sent off five minutes into the second period.
With Carlton Morris looking like he had sealed another away victory on 72 minutes, heading home his 12th of the season, Troy Parrott’s penalty with nine to go saw the Lilywhites somehow escape with a point and almost go on to win it.
Luton made one change, Fred Onyedinma starting a first league game for the first time since October as Alfie Doughty didn’t recover from his groin problem, Dan Potts fit enough to earn a place on the bench.
Although unable to replicate their lightning start at Coventry on Saturday, Town had the better of the opening exchanges, the ball spending the majority of its time in the home side’s half.
With 13 minutes gone, the hosts were able to force Ethan Horvath into some meaningful action, the USA international palming away Troy Parrot’s back post volley that bounced awkwardly, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu completing the clearance.
Luton were then inches away from taking the lead themselves on 21 minutes, Elijah Adebayo’s deflected cross drawing a fine reactionary save from Freddie Woodman, the rebound falling invitingly for Jordan Clark.
His first effort was blocked, before taking his time over a second, saw Alvaro Fernandez’s head divert it over the bar from virtually on the line, ensuring the scores remained goalless. Luton should have been ahead on 33 minutes though, when Gabe Osho beat his man and picked out Adebayo with a diagonal ball that left the striker clean through on Woodman.
He had time to go on, round the keeper and pick his spot, but ended up being almost too casual, attempting a first-time half volley and missing the target badly. – Sports Reporter/Luton Today.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter