Manager John Still spoke of his heartfelt shock of Jonathan Smith’s injury which overshadowed the Hatters’ 2-1 win at Barnet on Boxing Day.
Smith was on the receiving end of Jon Nurse’s awful tackle late in the first half at the Hive with the result a broken leg.
It was a tackle that clearly affected the Town manager, who was visibly shaken at half-time and during his post-match interview with Hatters Player.
“It was a difficult dressing room at half time,” said Still.
“It was difficult to focus 100 per cent on the game in all honesty. I am surprised it affected me as much as it did.
“The word I would use is horrific. I do not mean horrific by the offending player but just hearing that noise was horrific.
“I do not blame Jon Nurse. There is not a bad bone in Jon’s body but it was a sending off for a late challenge.
“At the end of the day though I am not bothered whether it was or it was not a red card to be honest. My thoughts are with Jonathan.”
The Town almost let their half-time advantage slip against Barnet’s 10 men as their minds wandered towards their injured team-mate, but Still saluted his side’s courage to see home the three points.
“The effect it must have had on the players like it did myself would have made it hard to concentrate but to come here and win is great,” added Still.
“We had to dig in at the end and show what we are made of and we did that again.
“We played well enough to win the game and Barnet had a go second half but in the circumstances I was really happy.”