Rob Davies
Swansea City were again defeated thanks to a goal from Carlton Morris at Kenilworth Road as Luton Town extended our poor run of form to just three wins in twenty one.
From the BBC:
Luton Town continued their play-off push as Carlton Morris’ goal sealed victory over struggling Swansea City, who had boss Russell Martin sent off.
Hatters top scorer Morris swept into an empty net after a mistake by Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher.
Victory sees Rob Edwards’ side climb to fifth in the Championship, three points above seventh place.
Swansea drop to 17th – 11 points clear of the relegation zone – having lost for the fifth time in seven games.
Martin was shown a red card in stoppage time after a melee near the dugouts, with Luton assistant boss Richie Kyle also dismissed by referee Dean Whitestone.
Swansea’s latest reverse will do little to ease the pressure on Martin and his players, who have won only three of their last 19 league matches.
Their endeavour was not in question at Kenilworth Road, and they might have salvaged a point had Liam Cullen’s late effort not been ruled out for offside.
That decision simply added to Swansea’s frustration, but the mood is much brighter for Luton, who edge closer to a second straight shot at the play-offs having won at home for just the sixth time this season.
Luton had needed a dramatic comeback to claim a point against Millwall in midweek, and they carried on where they left off against the Lions by driving at Swansea from the outset.
The visitors responded by moving the ball forward faster than they normally do, and Luke Cundle saw the first effort of the day saved by Luton goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
From that point Edwards’ side took control, with a Morris header clipping the bar before Jay Fulton blocked Tom Lockyer’s effort on the line as Swansea creaked at set-pieces.
Fisher also did well to smother a Morris header, but it was his error which handed Luton their goal.
Fisher spilled Alfie Doughty’s low cross, leaving Morris – who played for Martin at MK Dons – to tap in his 14th goal of the season.
Morris needlessly barged defender Joel Latibeaudiere as he ran away to celebrate, rubbing salt into Swansea’s latest wound.
The Welsh club were without captain Matt Grimes through illness, and their day got worse when stand-in skipper Joe Allen was forced off with injury just before half-time.
Ollie Cooper had the chance to lift Swansea’s gloom, but blazed over early in the second period, before Fisher denied Allan Campbell from close range at the other end.
Swansea thought they had equalised when substitute Cullen steered a shot inside the far post 17 minutes from time, but the assistant referee’s flag saved Luton.
Martin’s assistant, Matt Gill, was booked for his complaints over the decision.
Swansea threw everything at Luton in the closing stages, though Jordan Clark came close to a late goal when his shot from a tight angle hit the outside of the post.
An ill-tempered contest simmered over right at the end, as numerous staff members as well as players from both clubs clashed on the touchline
