Matt Bloomfield delighted as Luton bounce back to earn Wigan victory

Luton boss Matt Bloomfield was happy his side bounced back from their disappointing defeat at Bradford on Saturday by claiming a narrow 1-0 League One victory over Wigan at Kenilworth Road.

George Saville scored the only goal of the game after nine minutes as he volleyed home Liam Walsh’s cross, as Town climbed back into the early play-off places.

Bloomfield said: “We went through it at great length yesterday with the boys, they’re a great group, they’re genuinely a really honest hunch, they’re honest with themselves.

“They were all very disappointed with Saturday and rightly so.

“It was really important that we showed in front of the lights at home, a lot more attacking intent. Obviously, pushing Milli (Alli) slightly higher, it felt like we were able to do that tonight.

“First half, the biggest threat against us was giveaways and transition moments which nearly cost us a couple of times. Second half we were more secure in possession, but didn’t get the second and third.

“Lasse (Nordas) at the back post had one cleared off the line, we got into the box but didn’t quite find that moment.

“I think we needed to kill the game off with two or three to stop the possibility of what nearly happened at the end, so still plenty to work on.”

After Saville opened the scoring, arriving on cue to net his first goal for the club, it was the Latics who went closest, with Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley making some fine saves to deny Paul Mullins and Jason Kerr, while Will Aimson and Kerr also struck the woodwork.

At the other end, Wigan stopper Sam Tickle used his legs to prevent Jordan Clark from making it 2-0, but Luton dominated possession and territory after the break, Lasse Nordas striking the post and Milli Alli seeing two long-range efforts parried.

In the final moment of injury time, Tickle then came up for a corner only to fire wide of the target.

Latics boss Ryan Lowe said: “I’m pleased with the boys as they’ve given us everything and they should be proud of themselves.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more apart from a goal obviously, but the effort, desire and commitment, that’s what we’re getting close to doing and if we continue to do that, we’ll be good.

“We’re a little bit off Luton at the moment, they’ve got some fantastic players, so have we, but what I will say is we gave them a game.

“We were well up for it, we were well in the game and on another day, potentially we nick a 1-1 draw and come away with a point. It wasn’t to be but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.”