Next Up: Luton Town v Exeter City

It’s now six unbeaten for Paul Tisdale’s City side as they head into a vital run of fixtures against sides in the promotion mix, although the 1-1 draw against Morecambe will be considered two points dropped. City will be forced to make at least one change thanks to the stupidity of Tom Nichols, who now misses the next three matches after picking up City’s first red card of the season, with Alex Nicholls, David Wheeler and Graham Cummins all bustling to take his place. Christian Ribeiro limped off against Morecambe, which could force another reshuffle if he fails to make it back in time with one of Matt Oakley, Scot Bennett or Jamie McAllister likely to deputise at the back. 16 year old Kavanagh Keadell is likely to be on the bench again with Christy Pym out, while Liam Sercombe remains an injury doubt after his knock at Cheltenham.

From being near certainties for automatic promotion, a run of six straight defeats and eight in nine has seen John Still’s side plummet from the top to outside the playoff zone going into the busy Easter period. Like City the Hatters have experienced some injury problems of late meaning continuity has been difficult, but this hasn’t stopped the vultures circling and beginning to demand Still’s head. A lack of a regular goal scorer could prove the difference between Luton missing out and extending their season – top scorer Mark Cullen has 12 goals in all competitions but nobody else has recorded more than four, with Paul Benson’s return of one goal in 17 league games way below his usual standard. The defence will be marshalled by the behemoth Steve McNulty, who looks (literally) like he eats strikers for breakfast.

The reverse fixture was an entertaining 1-1 draw which saw the visitors take an immediate lead through Scott Griffiths, only for the same player to concede a penalty by fouling Ribeiro, Nichols stepping up and converting. City’s last visit to the salubrious surroundings of Kenilworth Road came as the clubs finished at opposite ends of the League Two table, Stansfield and Sercombe putting City 2-0 up before Tom Craddock reduced the arrears in a 2-1 scoreline. It is the Hatters, though, who have a comfortable Football League head to head lead with 23 wins to City’s ten (12 draws).

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2015/04/01/match-officials-luton-town-v-exeter-city/

~~~~~~^~~~~~~

~~~~~~^~~~~~~