Rotherham United 0-1 Luton Town: James Collins goal seals win for Hatters
- Published
James Collins' goal was his first in the league since 12 September, also in south Yorkshire, against Barnsley
James Collins netted his fifth goal of the season as Luton Town edged out Rotherham United in the Championship.
Collins volleyed home a superb Luke Berry free-kick to break the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining.
Luton had dominated proceedings, with Collins unable to bundle a George Moncur cross into the net in the 56th minute and United defender Michael Ihiekwe clearing a Harry Cornick effort off the line moments later.
And despite some late Rotherham pressure Collins' goal in the 70th minute was enough for the Hatters who rose to ninth in the Championship table, while Rotherham remained 19th.
Rotherham and Luton were in the fourth tier when they last met in the league in 2009, a sign of how far both clubs have come over the past decade.
It was the hosts who dominated the opening period, despite losing left-back Joe Mattock, who limped off with an early injury, to an early injury, with midfielder Jamie Lindsay twice stinging the palms of Luton keeper Simon Sluga in the opening half hour.
But Nathan Jones' side came alive in the second period, with 29-year-old Collins deservedly putting them ahead.
And as Rotherham pushed for a leveller, Town midfielder Luke Berry could have made the points secure when he struck the woodwork in the 76th minute.
Collins' goal, though, proved enough and the Hatters are now just a point off the Championship play-off places.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne:
"I thought we were really good in the first half. We didn't create enough clear-cut chances.
"I think we had a 10 or 15-minute part in the second half where Luton deserved their goal. They were on top and we couldn't handle them.
"Normally if we go a goal down, I always fancy us to get back in it. We didn't change the way we were playing and we just didn't have enough in the final third.
"I was disappointed but I think a lot of it is down to physicality. We need to freshen the side up. We definitely need to score more goals and take more chances."
Luton manager Nathan Jones:
"Any win on the road in the Championship is a good win. We were sluggish first half and we got overrun in midfield. That's not something that normally happens.
"We went up a gear in the second half and deservedly got the win. The second half was more us. We were front-footed and took the game to Rotherham. We were excellent.
"At the end of last season we picked up 16 from nine games and now it's 16 from 10. So it shows we have been relatively consistent over 20 games.
"We want to push boundaries. I don't think we have overachieved. We know we have to continue with these levels and win games that we need to win. We're in a decent position and it doesn't flatter us."
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