Hatters boss reflects on today's win at the Wham!
Hatters boss Nathan Jones was delighted with the style of today’s 4-1 victory at Accrington Stanley that made it six matches unbeaten and secured the Town’s place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.
James Justin netted a first-half opener and then, after Matty Pearson had levelled for the hosts before half-time, an own goal from Omar Beckles and further goals from Isaac Vassell and Jack Marriott made it an emphatic afternoon for the Welshman’s side strengthen their grip on fourth spot.
Only Exeter, who sit three points below the Town, cam jump above them on the final day of the season but the Hatters will have to lose and the Grecians win, while overturning a five-goal advantage Jones’ men now hold.
The 43-year-old said: “A lot has to happen for us not to get fourth place with the goal difference side of it, but we want to finish on a high anyway so we are going to make sure we get that fourth place.
“I thought we were excellent today. We had to scrap it out in the first half and we should have been two up when James Justin had a great chance, it took a little bobble late on.
“I didn’t really see them scoring unless it was a set play. We know their threat from set plays and we didn’t defend it well enough, which was a little bit of a disappointment.
“But second half we came out and were right at it. Obviously we got a bit of fortune with the first goal but after that it could have been six or seven, because they had to go for it – they knew they had to win.
“But I thought we were excellent. We had a real cutting edge about us and it could have been a lot more.
“It was a great strike from James and it gave us a lift to take the lead. We have a motto here: ‘Get the first goal, keep a clean sheet, win the game – any two will do’.
“What we did was we got the first goal, didn’t keep a clean sheet, but we won the game and in the second half it could have been a lot more emphatic.
“There was a lot of space late on because they are pushing on, trying to get the win, and we could exploit that with the pace we’ve got in the side.
“We are delighted with the win. To come here and win 4-1 – it’s a real difficult place to come and win, and to do it in the style that we did was extra special.”