'Inexplicably' - Nathan Jones lets rip after Birmingham City protest

Nathan Jones believed the tennis ball protest staged by Birmingham City fans affected his Luton Town team.

The Hatters started well at St Andrew’s and were on top, forcing a series of set pieces until Blues worked their way into the game.

Then in the 14th minute Blues fans once again vented their anger at the club’s owners, throwing dozens of tennis balls on to the pitch.

The referee stopped the game while the playing surface was cleared - and ten minutes later Juninho Bacuna gave the hosts a lead they would never lose.

Lyle Taylor and Onel Hernandez added to the advantage for a 3-0 victory, with which Jones was not happy.

“We saved our two most inept performances for Birmingham,” the Luton boss said.

“Today they have not had to work hard for anything, apart from the first 20 odd minutes.

“I thought we were really on the front foot, six, seven corners, free kicks really putting pressure on them.

“The tennis balls killed the momentum and then the steward stepped on pitch inexplicably.

“I am very reluctant to not give Birmingham credit because they must have done something right today but we were really inept in our performance.

“We can’t affect the protest but it did seem to kill our momentum.

“The second goal is disastrous they just punted, it comes off someone’s toe and it’s a calamitous goal. Today feels tough because we were really, really poor.

“Today we have had our second worst performance of the season and coincidentally the first was also against them.”