What was most remarkable about League Two’s biggest game of the season so far was the mutual respect that came in the post-match press conferences afterwards.
Luton Town versus Notts County pitted first against second in Bedfordshire on Saturday. Sides separated only by the Hatters’ inflated goal difference thanks to their remarkable goal-crazy antics in hitting Yeovil, Stevenage and Cambridge for eight, seven and seven.
On the touchline, it saw two of the hottest young managerial prospects in the game go head-to-head in Nathan Jones and County’s Kevin Nolan. On the terraces, Coventry City aside, the supporters of the division’s two biggest clubs historically traded songs at a sold-out Kenilworth Road.
The stage was set for a fantastic occasion, the dark nights and biting cold adding to the tension and atmosphere. And the game lived up to its billing. It proved to be a high-tempo, high-quality affair, after which a share of the spoils was the fair outcome.
The Magpies started brightly and had chances to take the lead before the hosts did just that, against the run of play, as captain Alan Sheehan swung a corner for his centre-back partner Johnny Mullins to head home, beating Shola Ameobi in the air, no less.
The rest of the half was fairly even, with only half-chances to show for the endeavours of both sides.
After the break, it was Town who began better but, just as they had done to the visitors, County scored from a set-piece to equalise against the run of play. Ameobi atoned for his slack marking by beating a melee of players to Jorge Grant’s deep free-kick – helped by a rush of blood to the head from the usually reliable Hatters stopper Marek Stech, who inexplicably left an open goal.
The sides traded blows for the rest of the encounter, with the best chance of for a winner falling at the feet of Mullins in the final minute, only for County keeper Ross Fitzsimons to brilliantly thwart him at point-blank range.
The result kept both sides level and able to continue their fine recent form. Indeed, of the four Manager of the Month awards handed out so far this term, Jones has two and Nolan one – consistency has won the day for two clubs who seem set on moving in an upwards direction.
With third-place Accrington Stanley’s game postponed, moving a point further clear helped Jones and Nolan’s moods. Moreover, outside the automatic slots, the playoff incumbents are two wins and a draw (given Town and County’s goal differences) adrift.
Watch the gaffer's full post match interview here ➡️ #COYH
After the game, Jones hailed the Magpies as the best side his team have come up against while Nolan – both before and after – called the Hatters the division’s finest. It may seem easy to say given they are the top two in the league. But the truth is different. Just look at Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. Of course, that is played out in front of millions more and with the media driving much of it, but you won’t get any mutual respect of the opposition’s form there.
It’s rare at any level in a game of such pressure that any manager gives his opposition the credit. In defeat, it’s often more about his own side’s mistakes or that of the officials or conditions. The unlikely nature of Jones’ and Nolan’s positive comments towards each other – especially in the heat of a promotion battle that means so much to both clubs – is commendable and refreshing.
It is likely that they come from such a positive place in the knowledge that no other side should worry them. Of course the nature of League Two means there will be dips in form – most sides can beat the other on any given day, and in the likes of Coventry, Mansfield Town and Lincoln there are some impressive sides to overcome still.
However, Luton and Notts look so imperious. They are impressively built sides. Jones has been backed financially with the captures of Luke Berry (22 goals from midfield for Cambridge last term) and James Collins (22 for Crawley) while Nolan has perfectly blended experience and youth to create a hard-working side with the individual brilliance of Nottingham Forest loanee Jorge Grant (already on 14 goals from midfield this season).
What helps Jones and Nolan more is the adversity their teams have come from. Nolan took over after the Magpies had suffered a club record 10 straight losses and were heading for a relegation battle last term.
Jones was expected to take Luton to promotion last season but was beaten in the most remarkable and anguishing of playoff semi-finals against eventual winners Blackpool.
They have created siege mentalities at their respective clubs. And all the signs are they are only going one way – together. Few would argue against the final game of the season, the return fixture at Meadow Lane, being one big party for both.
