Flag Fury As Hatters Take Toon To The Brink

Linesman’s call stalls comeback.

- Chris Dunlavy

LUTON were left wondering what might have been after their stirring second-half fightback was halted by a linesman’s dodgy decision.

Three goals in nine first-half minutes from Ayoze Perez and Jonjo Shelvey left the League Two leaders staring down the barrel at half-time.

But a blunder from rookie Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman allowed Danny Hylton to bag his 17th goal of the season – swiftly followed by what seemed a spectacular 18th.

Hylton celebrated raucously, only to be left with his head in his hands when he realised the flag was up. Replays showed he was fractionally onside.

Elliott Lee, son of Toon legend Rob, then launched a free-kick against the bar in a frenzied second half, but any real hopes of a comeback had gone.

“We’ve scored a perfectly legitimate goal,” said Luton boss Nathan Jones. “That’s the big disappointment because it could have been a game-changer for us.

“We were on the front foot, imposing ourselves. If that goes in, things get a lot more interesting and the pathway of that second half maybe goes a different way.