Following a somewhat stagnant period of form, Luton Town were back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at Kenilworth Road.

The reliable Kal Naismith converted from the spot following Jack Colback's hand ball in the box 37 minutes in. 

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Luton managed to keep the goal advantage and a valuable clean sheet despite the dismissal of Sonny Bradley. The defender received a second yellow card just before the final ten minutes, leaving Town looking over their shoulders.

Nathan Jones spoke with BBC Three Counties radio after the game, delighted his side had held out in a crucial game, on a special day.

"Praise the lord, on a very religious day that we've got three points. Magnificent performance, first half I thought we were outstanding. We weren't always going to be able to keep up momentum especially with the decimation of our players.

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“We weren't able to bring any real game changers on. But what a performance. We had to dig in, defend our box well and we did. Sheasy made a good save, they hit the post but apart from that, I can't remember them having anything else."

Jones was asked that maybe not nabbing another goal made things difficult for his side. He responded, happy with his team's characteristic determination.

"No look, we keep going - that's the character of the group. It was phenomenal. We asked them to  do something different today and tactically I thought we were superb."

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Forest's ranks are bolstered by young talent but despite this, Jones thought the Hatters handled the threat well.

"Two of the young outstanding individuals in the league this year have been Brennan Johnson and Jed Spence. We went Amari'i Bell and Onyedinma against them and felt they were exceptional today.

“Tactically we were brilliant, we were up against a top top side and managed to get the win."

  • Luton players stepping up yet again in the absence of others

In this game, Robert Snodgrass seemed to roll back the years with a strong midfield performance. It was definitely something that caught his boss' eye.

"We knew we'd need him sooner or later. We didn't expect eight central midfield players to be injured. They've been settled with their team Forest. We've had to chop and change through no fault of our own. It just shows the character we've had and I'm so proud of the group."

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Another player to step up was the ever-present Kal Naismith. The Scot took on the responsibility of penalty taker this afternoon. It was a group decision, considering Elijah Adebayo's miss against Huddersfield last time out.

"It was just a bit to mix it up, keep them guessing. There would've been heaps of pressure on Eli today. On a young kid with stakes so high, maybe we had to take it away from him.

“That's a big call but he realises it, he's humble enough. At the end of the day it's for the team."

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  • Ref watch and a look to Monday

Luton saw out this win with, as said, ten men. Sonny Bradley saw red and Jones seems bereft of any ideas regarding the referee's logic.

"He was a bit trigger happy wasn't he? First half we said as long as he's consistent. But Kal Naismith has gone past Kiernan Davis and he's pulled him back. He let it go. I don't know why. Then he booked every single thing after. He's got some big decisions wrong. The sending off was wrong."

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On to Monday, it's now a trip to 'God's country' as Luton face Cardiff City. Nathan Jones seemed in good spirits.

"Got to get down there, rest up and go again. It's a different type of game but one we have to be right up for."

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