Luton defeat 'start of a journey' - Wilshere

Jack Wilshere urged Luton Town fans to "stick with us" after experiencing defeat for the first time in his short managerial career.

Wilshere was appointed by The Hatters after two games as interim head coach of Norwich City last season, from which they took four points.

His first as Luton manager, though, ended in a 2-0 defeat by Mansfield Town at Kenilworth Road after Nahki Wells saw a first-half penalty saved.

"I know everyone would want the (right) result but the performance was more important," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We didn't get a consistent performance. Could we have expected a consistent performance? Maybe not, with the changes this week, and players away.

"This is the start of a journey I am fully committed to and I feel like the players are as well. We'll work, we'll get better, it may take some time but we'll do that."

The result left the Hatters 14th in League One, eight points away from the play-off places ahead of next Saturday's trip to Northampton Town.

"It was a game of spells and what I learned about this league is that when you're in those (good) spells, you have to make them count and we didn't," said Wilshere.

"A lot of things I saw in the first half were positive. I also learnt a lot about the place, the players, what they're feeling, (but) we've got work to do."

Wells, who has now missed two penalties this season, took the spot-kick despite Gideon Kodua also being on the pitch, having scored one against Blackpool last month.

Wilshere said: "In that moment, it's down to the player who wants it and Nahki fancied it. He had courage, he wanted to do the right thing.

"He was instrumental in a lot of the good things we did and we need him."

Asked about his sides' failure to create and convert chances, he replied: "It's not that we're not winning the ball back high enough or not creating opportunities, we are and we have to use that.

"Is it a mentality thing? It could be, finishing is one of the hardest things to do in football so we have to find a little bit more quality or calmness when we're in those areas."

Wilshere described his welcome from supporters when he walked out onto the pitch before kick-off as "really special".

He added: "I didn't know what to expect when I went out. They were amazing. It was tough at times (for them) and they're right to be frustrated but stick with us."