Luton Town boss Mick Harford was in a positive mood despite defeat in Tuesday's pre-season game with Colchester United.

The Hatters put in a solid display against a much-fancied U's outfit, who are touted as one of the favourites to claim the League 1 title this season. A solitary Antony Wordsworth strike on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference between the two teams, but overall Harford was pleased with his team's performance.

"I'm quite delighted with the way we played at times in terms of keeping the ball and possession" he said. "We defended very well, as I've said in the past two or three games we've made a lot of changes and you lose a bit of momentum. We gave a silly goal away just before half time but overall I was delighted with the way we played, the way we moved the ball around the pitch, the way we defended with two banks of four."

Although pleased that Town haven't conceded many goals, Harford is focusing on capitalising on chances at the other end of the pitch: "We didn't look much like conceding and it's the old adage that clarifies why strikers are so important and so expensive, because you need someone after all that good play to stick the ball in the net.

He continued, "We're just in a position where we are looking for that certain player to stick the ball in the net. We're giving a few people opportunities to try and prove that they can stick the ball in the net because the majority of our play deserves something to be finished off."

It's been an unusual time for all involved at the club, but the Hatters' boss is happy with the way the players, many of whom have been trialists, have fitted into the situation. "I've just said to the lads in the changing room that they've been put together, some of them don't even know each other and they've been put together in a way where some of them haven't trained together.

"They haven't been together for long and in terms of the shape of the team and the way we're trying to play I'm quite pleased with this evening's performance and the last two performances. All it needs is someone to be on the end of those balls going into the box."

The Hatters last three games have been against higher placed opposition, primarily because Harford wanted to challenge his players.

He explained: "We picked the fixtures for a good test of football and we've been more than a match for the three of them. I think we've defended very well; we've looked good at times - we're just finding it hard to stick the ball away.

"At the end of the day, we've played well enough to win the three games, but if you don't stick the ball in the net, which is the hardest thing to do in football then you can't win games.

"We look solid defensively, we look ok in midfield and now it's just that end product, which we're searching for and we'll keep scouring the country until we find the right man for us."