Luton settle for draw after Leyton Orient stalemate

Luton Town picked up a point as they played out a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient at Kenilworth Road.

Jamie Donley had given Luton the lead against his former club, only for Jaze Kabia to curl in a fine strike to equalise for the visitors from East London.

There was no way through for Luton after that despite Jack Wilshere’s side creating chances as they missed out on the chance to make it back-to-back wins. After the opening 5 games of the season, the Hatters have 8 points.

Having beaten Stockport in midweek, Luton began the contest brightly enough, with Nahki Wells denied by away keeper Nathan Baxter and Donley firing a strike wide.

A goal would duly fall Luton’s way in the 25th minute. Gideon Kodua did the set-up work before getting the ball in for Donley, who duly fired home a crisp strike against a club he previously played for in a loan spell two seasons ago.

The Hatters continued to look likelier to score, with Wells scuffing an effort and Baxter denying Kodua.

But rather than getting a second goal, Luton would instead concede the next goal of the contest. The ball was worked out to Kabia, who duly cut inside and sent a fine curling drive that gave Josh Keeley no chance.

It nearly got worse for Luton when Demetri Mitchell fired wide when well-placed, before the Hatters then nearly re-took the lead when Hakeem Odoffin hit the post and Kodua had a strike blocked on the line in a goalmouth scramble.

There were still opportunities for both sides to take the lead in the final stages of the first half, as Donley was denied a second by Baxter before Josh Keeley made a flying stop to thwart Idris El Mizouni.

Luton nearly got themselves back in front after the break when Wells was denied by Baxter and Donley had a follow-up strike blocked.

However, Orient proved to be a stubborn obstacle for the hosts, with Luton struggling to create second-half opportunities and the game would ultimately fizzle out, with both sides settling for a point.

The Hatters will look to return to winning ways next time out, when they visit local rivals Stevenage on Thursday night.