‘It's a difficult result to take…we deserved more’ – Holden

Callum O'Dowda (hamstring) missed out while Zak Vyner and Jack Hunt made the squad having recovered from knocks on Saturday.

Speaking to Robins TV Holden thanked his players for showing character to get back into the game, even after a bright start from themselves, but there was disappointment in the manner of which his side conceded.

‘We didn’t deserve to lose’

“I think there’s been some defeats this season where we have deserved to lose but tonight is not one of them. I think we deserved something from the game, we created chances throughout, we hit the bar, there was a first-half stonewall penalty not given for whatever reason and ultimately we conceded two bad goals.

“Most of the night we’ve done the basics well and on a really bumpy, terrible pitch. The first one from a set-piece is disappointing and the second goal we were deep from the kick, we gave the ball away and it’s gone in. It’s difficult to take because the lads gave everything, and we have to move on.”

Character to get back on top

“We showed character to get back into it. We moved the ball well at times, we created some good moments without that finishing touch. To concede as we did in the second half when we had momentum and the ball - there was only one team who looked like they were going to win it. Luton then scored from distance so it’s difficult to take but we have to move on.”

Looking to bounce back at Brentford

City return to action away to Brentford on New Year’s Day (3pm KO).

Holden said: “We have a few days to recover. The lads went down with cramp at the end, Belly (Sam Bell) came off the bench and they gave everything. It’s a quick turnaround now with a big game at Brentford and we have to be ready for it.

“We go there as underdogs considering our form but we go there looking to get something from it.”