Stevenage goals a case for VAR - Luton coach Powell

Luton Town assistant manager Chris Powell believes the two contentious goals they conceded against Stevenage serve as "a case for VAR" in League One. Hatters boss Jack Wilshere was sent off after protesting that Stevenage's opener in their 2-1 win should have been ruled out for a foul on Liam Walsh before Dan Kemp opened the scoring at Broadhall Way. Luton - who have now won two, drawn two and lost two of their first six league games - were further incensed by what Powell described as a "clear offside" before Josh Magennis doubled Boro's lead. "I get it, referees have a tough job. But surely there is an argument for VAR at this level," said Powell. "It can cost teams points, it can cost people jobs." Kasey Palmer's effort was deflected in by Mads Andersen to bring Luton back into the game, but Alex Revell's side held on to move to fourth in the formative League One table while Luton stayed eighth. Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio , Powell said the hosts' opener should not have stood after what he described as a "blatant" foul by Stevenage midfielder Dan Phillips. "Everyone in the stadium is expecting the referee to blow, I know you shouldn't stop," he added. "But it's quite clear what happened, the replays just confirmed what we saw, and then the second goal is offside. They've scored two goals and won a game when actually they've had a helping hand. "It's tough for officials, I get that. They get a split second, we have the advantage of seeing it again - they don't. "But you just hope that the way they work, there are four of them, with the assessor, that they make these decisions. It's just a tough one to take". Wilshere's sending off means the Hatters' boss will be unable to take to the dugout for their next match, at home to Bradford City, on 19 September.
Related to this story
Wilshere sent off as Luton fall to Stevenage defeat All the latest Luton Town news