Luton Town 1-2 Barnsley: Daryl Dike double downs Hatters
- Published
Daryl Dike's quick reactions for his second goal took his tally to seven goals in 13 Championship appearances for Barnsley
Barnsley's United States striker Daryl Dike scored twice and missed a penalty as the Tykes consolidated fifth place in the Championship with victory at Luton Town.
January loan-signing Dike blasted a low shot past Luton goalkeeper Simon Sluga before the break after being put through by Cauley Woodrow's lovely pass.
The Orlando City-loanee got his second after an hour when he reacted quickest from six yards after Sluga fumbled Woodrow's low shot from the edge of the box.
Dike should have had a hat-trick after he was brought down for a penalty, but Sluga saved his spot-kick, and the rebound, before Luton went straight up the other end and scored through James Collins.
A 10th win in 13 games consolidated the play-off hopes of Valerian Ismael's side, who hold a three-point gap between themselves and seventh-placed Bournemouth.
Luton remain in 15th place and have a 10-point cushion to the bottom three with seven games to play.
Barnsley deservedly led at half-time after Sluga did well to save from Callum Brittain, while Woodrow headed over the bar as the Tykes had the better of the possession and attacking intent.
Luton's best chance of the first half came when Sluga's long ball found Elijah Adebayo whose cross saw both Ryan Tunnicliffe and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu have efforts blocked.
Nathan Jones' side struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a hard-working and direct Barnsley side, and Dike's second goal was almost followed by a third, but Sluga made amends for his mistake with a fine save from Callum Styles.
Jordan Clark and Kal Naismith both had chances for the hosts soon after they went 2-0 down before Dike missed a good effort for a hat-trick as Sluga saved his spot-kick.
Collins' low finish into the bottom corner ensured a nervy finish for Barnsley, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's 88th-minute corner cleared off the line as Luton tried in vain for a late equaliser.
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I came in last year for the last nine games and, bearing in mind with nine games to spare this year we're on 50 points, you think you're in a relatively comfortable position.
"When I came in last year it was categorically different and they had a real desire to defend and to work hard and put their bodies on the line. We've had two games since we've reached 50 points where we haven't done that and we've been powderpuff in both games.
"I want us to evolve and become a better team, and we were using these last nine games to do that and see if we can do certain things.
"But I'm going back to basics now, I'm going to make sure we finish the season with points because I don't want to lose games by trying people and seeing if people are good enough.
"From now until the end of the season I'm going to see who wants to be here who wants to play for this football club, who can play for this football club and who can take us forward and I'll be ruthless with the ones who can't."
Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I think it was a forceful performance, we controlled, we dominated the opponents. Tactically we controlled everything, the opponents changed their shape three times and we were under control until the penalty, and after the penalty it was another game.
"This is the Championship, it's a mentality league and you have to deal with it, to fight, but we controlled and we got the three points and this is the most important thing.
"It was important to show a reaction after the loss against Sheffield Wednesday and the draw with Reading and now we continue to move forward, we have 68 points, it puts us in a brilliant position at the moment.
"With six games left we just have to stay focused, recover and move onto the next game."