LUTON TOWN failed to take home advantage as Huddersfield held them to a draw at Kenilworth Road.
The visitors took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes courtesy of a sensational strike by Daniel Sinani.
But captain fantastic Sonny Bradley was on hand to set up a mouth-watering second leg on Monday.
- RESULT: Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
- TV/Live Stream: Sky Sports Main Event
- Luton XI: Ingram, Bree, Naismith, Bradley, Cornick, Burke, Clarke, Campbell, Lansbury, Bell, Jerome
- Huddersfield XI: Nicholls, Toffolo, Hogg, O’Brien, Holmes, Turton, Sarr, Sinani, Ward, Lees, Russell
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
That’s all from Kenilworth Road
It’s all level as the two sides head into the second leg at The John Smith’s Stadium on Monday.
This semi-final could still go either way.
A place in the play-off final at Wembley is at stake.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Nathan Jones reacts
When speaking to Sky Sports, Jones said:
“As I said pre-match the margins between the sides have been really tight and really small.
“I thought first half we were outstanding, really excellent.
“We should’ve had a penalty which is a possible red card there because he’s denied an absolute goalscoring opportunity.
“I know they had half of one in terms of that little… but it’s very difficult. Obviously I see it from orange eyes, but I thought we were excellent first half.
“We needed to capitalise properly on that. Second half they caused us problems, we just packed in the midfield and until we changed we didn’t get to grips with that. But, real tactical game, real cagey game, nothing in it.
“Keeper had one shot to save really and it’s gone in but they’re a good side, they’re a fantastic side and it’s going to be difficult but it’s all to play for.”
Credit: Getty Carlos Corberan reacts
“I thought the draw was the fair result today. Luton were a little better than us in the first half, but I thought the team was excellent in the second half.”
“Duane Holmes played wide on the pitch during the first half, so we switched his position to a more central one. I thought we controlled the ball in the second half, which is exactly what we wanted to do.”
“The second half makes me feel like this was a positive performance. Now we must focus on recovery, and being ready for another really tough game on Monday night.”
Credit: Getty
Duane Homes reacts
When speaking to Sky Sports, Holmes said:
“It’s a game of two legs and we’re going back to our place now.
“We’re still in the tie, obviously we’re disappointed to concede that kind of goal when we’ve been so good at defending set plays all year.
“That’s football so we’ll dust ourselves off and go again Monday.”
On the penalty incident: “On first look it definitely looked like a pen. The kick-off is something we have worked on all week and then it nearly worked.
“Probably a penalty, but saying that, they probably should’ve had a penalty when Cameron Jerome got brought down. I think the ref might not have given that one because he didn’t give ours.
“We had 90 minutes to win the game, but like I said we’re still in the tie.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield felt hard done by in the early stages of the game after their penalty appeals were controversially denied in the opening minute.
But The Terriers quickly picked themselves back up as Sinani opened the scoring.
A possible lack of awareness from the defence led to the equalising goal, but Carlos Corberan’s side made few errors after that.
It could be argued that Huddersfield have the advantage going into the second leg as they are set to play at home, but this game could still go wither way.
Full Time – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Luton got off to a fantastic start this evening and were unlucky to concede against the run of play.
Bradley was in the right place at the right time to put The Hatters back level at the half-hour mark.
Nathan Jones’ side were forced onto the back foot by Huddersfield during the second half which meant they struggled to create many effective chances.
However, they will still hold high hopes going into the second leg on Monday.
Full Time – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
It’s still all level as we reach the halfway mark of this play-off semi-final.
Nothing could separate the two sides today.
Credit: Richard Washbrooke/News Images 90+2. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Rhodes is booked for a bizarre challenge on Bree.
The pair were battling for the ball until the Huddersfield striker appeared to trip and fall on his opponent.
90. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Luton make their final substitution.
Jerome is replaced by Snodgrass.
There will be four minutes added on…
87. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield are pushing for the winner.
The ball has barely left Luton’s half.
Holmes sends a corner into the box, but his cross curls and heads out for a goal kick.
84. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield make another substitution.
Thomas comes on to replace Sinani.
82. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Luton make another change.
Hylton comes on to replace Burke.
78. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Holmes drives towards the Luton penalty area before sending a perfectly placed pass towards O’Brien.
The midfielder’s shot is on target, but the effort is blocked.
74. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
The fourth corner is sent into the box but Luton can clear their lines.
73. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield are on their fourth consecutive corner.
They have failed to make the most of them so far…
71. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield make another change.
Ward is replaced by Rhodes.
68. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huge blow for Luton as Lansbury is forced off with an injury.
He has been replaced by Lockyer.
65. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Sinani attempts to cross the ball to Ward in the box, but Bradley manages to get a foot on it to deflect the danger.
The captain has been outstanding this evening.
57. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Naismith is shown a yellow for a pull on Holmes.
Huddersfield have a free kick just inside Luton’s half and the ball is sent into the box.
Sarr is brought down as he attempts to run onto the cross, but the referee denies the penalty claims once again.
53. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Ward finds the ball on the edge of Luton’s penalty area.
He quickly makes a turn before getting the shot away, but Bradley is there to make the block.
48. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Luton have a free kick on the right after Cornick is brought down by Toffolo.
The ball is crossed into Cornick at the front post, the striker attempts to flick it into the back of the net, but his effort is off-target.
46. Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield have made their first change.
Turton has been replaced by Pipa.
Kick Off – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
We’re back underway!
Half Time – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Luton also had a penalty shout in the latter stages of the half.
What about this one? Penalty or no penalty?
Half Time – Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield appealed for a penalty less than 10 seconds into the game as Toffolo went to ground in the box.
Penalty or no penalty?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
