Rob Edwards watched his Luton side suffer an FA Cup scare and admitted: “I’d prefer to play a Premier League side.”
Chiedoze Ogbene struck the 57th minute winner but the Hatters were given a whole host of problems by League One high-fliers Bolton. They were forced to scrap all the way in a pulsating third round replay to secure a tie at Premier League rivals Everton or Crystal Palace. Edwards admitted: “I’m just pleased we’re through.
“Tonight was about winning. We weren't at our best. We were a little sloppy and allowed them too many moments to build into their game. Credit to Bolton. They could easily have got something out of that. They were a real threat on the counter.
“In a way it’s better for us to play a Premier League team in the next round. We know we have to be at full tilt and that's when we’re at our best. When we’re favourites we take our foot off the gas.”
It was only Ireland international Ogbene’s second goal in 24 games since joining from Rotherham and proved priceless. But confident Bolton had their chances and were left gutted when they had an equaliser chalked off in the 74th minute.
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Victor Adeboyejo had brilliantly flicked on to beat keeper Tim Krul. But team-mate Dion Charles made sure with the last touch - and was ruled offside.
On an emotional night, tributes were made to lifelong Bolton supporter Iain Purslow, 71, who tragically died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest during Saturday’s home game against Cheltenham. Members of Mr Purslow’s family attended as club guests last night and after an impeccably observed minute’s silence there was also a standing ovation in the 71st minute of a thrilling Cup tie.
Luton Town forward Tahith Chong (14) scores a GOAL 1-1 and celebrates with Luton Town midfielder Ross Barkley (6) and Luton Town midfielder Jordan Clark (18) during the Bolton Wanderers FC vs Luton Town FC Emirates FA Cup 3rd Round replay match at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton, United Kingdom on 16 January 2024 (Photo by Alex Young/Every Second Media/REX/Shutterstock (14303491b)) (REX/Shutterstock)Bolton got off to the best possible start when Charles fired them into a shock 11th minute lead. But it lasted only four minutes after Josh Dacres-Cogley gave the ball away in midfield and Jordan Clark supplied Tahith Chong who confidently finished.
Both sides had chances in a frenetic encounter. Luton’s critical strike came when Carlton Morris got the better of Ricardo Almeida Santos to furnish Ogbene. Bolton boss Ian Evatt said: “I'm proud of the football club as we wanted to pay Iain respect and his family.
“But it's not about me, our players or anyone else. It’s all about his family. Hopefully they get chance to mourn now. We started very fast and very well. They punished us but for large spells we dominated in that second half. We caused them a lot of problems which is credit to us but now we need to replicate that until the end of the season.”
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