THE first home defeat of the season put a slight dent in Luton Town's promotion hopes, but they made amends on Tuesday, October 23, by chalking up their fifth way win, at the expense of lowly Halifax Town.

But the result that gave most cause for thought for manager Joe Kinnear was the single-goal home reverse to Rochdale.

He figured Luton were unlucky to lose in front of their biggest gate of the season, but was unhappy the third division's top scorers fired blanks for the first time and he intends to do something about it.

Tuesday's 4-2 win at The Shay took Luton's goals tally to 34 from their first 15 games, and kept them a point behind joint leaders Plymouth Argyle and Rochdale.

The brace netted by Dean Crowe could be priceless for the Stoke City striker. His loan ends after Saturday's home game with Stoke, and Tuesday's sharp finishing was enough to earn him the chance of a contract.

On Saturday, October 20, Kinnear was "thinking it over." By Tuesday night, the comment was: "I will sit down with him and try to come to an agreement about a contract."

The only sticking point might be that 22-year-old Crowe would like something longer than the rest-of-the season deal Kinnear is thinking about.

The Hatters boss has two other proven goalscorers in his sights, 22-year-old Jon Newby, of Bury, and Mansfield's 23-year-old Chris Greenacre, Division Three's top marksman.

There is money in the kitty for Kinnear to add to the 12 players brought in since last summer, but he has to balance the wages budget, which is why three strikers were on the way out of Kenilworth Road this week.

Stuart Douglas has joined Oxford United on loan, and Liam George is talking to Colchester United. Kinnear said: "He has been here since he was a kid, so perhaps a change of club would do him good."

Luton will want a fee for George at 22, he is not subject to the Bosman ruling, and if agreement cannot be reached with Colchester a tribunal will set the figure.

But there will be no haggling if the hapless Peter Thomson accepts a move to Rushden and Diamonds. He was talking terms with them this week, and Kinnear will give a free transfer to a man signed by Ricky Hill for £100,000. Thomson is believed to be earning £2,000 a week, far in excess of Kinnear's valuation of a player who has not figured in his squad this season.

October 27, 2001 14:42