JACK WILSHERE slammed the call that stopped Luton Town securing a spot in the League One play-offs yesterday.
The Town boss, 34, was left outraged after Stevenage’s hugely controversial injury-time winner against was allowed to stand.
Jack Wilshere has slammed the call to let the Stevenage goal stand Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Luton Town needed to beat Bolton and have Bradford, Stockport or Stevenage to lose Credit: Getty
There was no clear evidence the ball had crossed the line and, with no goalline technology in , referee Matthew Russell gave it after looking across at his assistant.
Wilshere said: “There’s going to be more to come on that over the next few days from a lot of clubs, because ultimately that goal there keeps some clubs out of the play-offs.
“It stops some clubs from having an opportunity to, number one, get to the , but what that means getting to the Championship, the financial gains and what that means to the club.
“We’re in League One next year and I’ve got a meeting next week about what the budget is going to be and who do we need to cut.
“That’s people’s livelihoods at stake just because of one decision and really, really not good enough across the season and it has to change.”
The Hatters needed a win over to secure a chance at promotion – but they also needed one of , Stockport County or Stevenage to drop points.
With Bradford and Stockport both ahead and effectively out of reach, Town headed into stoppage time at the Toughsheet Stadium level at 2-2.
And with Boro still being held 0-0 by Latics, Plymouth Argyle – who had started the day in eighth – had somehow climbed into the play-off places.
Luton Town are due to stay in League One next season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Shayden Morris fired Luton 3-2 up, but the celebrations barely got going.
News quickly filtered through that Stevenage had scored too, leaving the Hatters players and 3,000 travelling fans knowing it still would not be enough.
And after full-time, clips from the Lamex Stadium only added to the agony.
Dan Sweeney prodded the ball goalwards in a packed box, with Latics keeper Sam Tickle appearing to block it before Wigan hacked clear.
There was no evidence that the ball crossed the line but the referee let it stand and the decision condemned Town to another season in the third tier.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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