Luton boss Matt Bloomfield was proud of his side’s second-half display as they remained in the fight for Championship survival by beating Bristol City 3-1.
With the scores goalless at the break, it looked like being another frustrating afternoon for the hosts at Kenilworth Road before Thelo Aasgaard fired them in front on 49 minutes.
George Tanner levelled brilliantly three minutes later but Carlton Morris restored Town’s advantage on 59 minutes, with Izzy Jones completing the victory.
Bloomfield said: “I’m really proud of the players, really pleased with the way our supporters were right behind the players and roared us on.
“Second half we really wanted to attack and I thought we were excellent. We created some good opportunities, pressed at the right moments, had a nice variety in our play, which was probably the most pleasing aspect.
“The result is crucial, but the manner in which we did it was very pleasing. We were able to really step on second half.
“In a game that both teams have got so much to play for, the first half being slightly edgy and not free-flowing was probably understandable but I thought it was a great game second half.
“It was nice to have that (two-goal) cushion as it meant we could enjoy that bit towards the end.”
In a drab opening 45 minutes that saw Nahki Wells drag wide, City were indebted to a terrific save from Max O’Leary when Aasgaard diverted Cameron Pring’s clearance goalwards.
Mark McGuinness also volleyed over but after the break, Town led when Aasgaard drove into the net past a slow to react O’Leary.
Tanner levelled on 52 minutes in wonderful fashion, volleying into the bottom corner, but Luton were back in front on 59 minutes when Morris hooked home from a corner to end his near four-month goal drought.
Town stopper Thomas Kaminski saved brilliantly from Tanner, who skied the rebound over, but the Hatters led 3-1 on 72 minutes when Jones escaped the Robins’ defence to fire past O’Leary.
Late on, George Earthy shot straight at Kaminski and despite being beaten, City remain in the play-off places.
Boss Liam Manning said: “I thought it was a relatively even first half, then second half it was one of those.
“It was frustrating and credit to them, Luton, they’re physical, direct, make it difficult. We managed that well at times but ultimately the bit that probably was our undoing were some of the cheap turnovers that led to some of their momentum.
“I thought the collective needed to do better. We go one behind and I thought the group showed what they’re about in terms of their character as George scored a terrific goal.
“He then had a double chance which he should have done better with, we give away another soft goal, but ultimately we need to be better.
“It’s such a tough place to come, they’re so physical and so direct, it becomes so difficult how you manage it and how you get control. What you then can’t do is turn the ball over cheaply which we did second half. We shot ourselves in the foot and then ended up conceding.”
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