Matt Taylor takes issue with a controversial penalty decision in Exeter’s 3-2 defeat at Luton on Tuesday night.
Exeter tweeted “Penalty for Luton somehow”, then wrote in their match report: “A debatable penalty from Jordan Clark and Hakeem Odoffin’s strike on the edge of half-time gave the Hatters a commanding lead at the break.”
Luton wrote in their match report: “Jack Aitchison was adjudged to have handled in the box and from the resultant penalty Clark sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 11th of the season.”
Luton Town got a penalty vs Exeter City for this shove from Devante Cole onto Jack Aitchison
How’s the referee given that?🤔😳#ecfc #LTFC #COYH pic.twitter.com/hubpqUIgh9
— AllAboutLeagueOne (@LeagueOne25) March 17, 2026
27 | Penalty for Luton somehow.
LUT 1-1 #ECFC | #SemperFidelis
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) March 17, 2026
38 | 🟨 Matt Taylor goes into the book.
LUT 2-1 #ECFC | #SemperFidelis
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) March 17, 2026
Grecians boss Matt Taylor said: “From box to box, and from box to their goal I thought we were excellent tonight but we didn’t defend our goal well enough.
“There were three or four occasions that cost us the game, and I have to say we don’t feel it was a penalty we felt it was a foul on our player, and these are the moments which seem to be going against us.
On Exeter’s goals: “Two good finishes. I thought Timur was a constant threat, I thought Josh was a handful, and Immi looked like his old self. They were well supplemented by the midfield behind, we played the pitch really well tonight with a lot of ball and got into the opposition box.”
Looking to facing Wigan next up: “We have to find a way of practicing where we’re short at the moment, and that’s what Thursday and Friday will look like before we make the journey North.”
“It’ll be a slightly different game; Wigan’s ground has a bit more space which will hopefully suit us, but we need to find some energy from somewhere.”
Wilshere said: “We started OK and then we maybe allowed them to come into the game. They’re a good team, they’re obviously down the league, but they play some good football.
“They drag you all over the place, we couldn’t quite get to grips with that in the first half, but set-pieces were important again.
“At half-time we changed a few things, gave the players a little bit more clarity and asked them to be a little bit more aggressive, which I thought we were in the second half.
“They hit us on the counter at the start, but apart from that, if any team was going to score it was going to be us.
“We won a lot of duels and then as the game goes on it gets a little bit nervy, but I thought we saw it out really well and happy with the result.”
Here’s how fans reacted with Exeter left baffled by a ‘debatable’ penalty awarded in Luton’s 3-2 win…
@Jimbogg: I normally think refs aren’t anywhere as bad as people make out but jeeeeesus, how is he made that decision #ECFC
@JohnCarterScott: EFL refs get worse and worse every week. It’s a disgrace and they have no accountability whatsoever. Get a grip @EFL @FA_PGMOL #ecfc #ltfc
@tom_bondy: One of the worst decisions I’ve seen #ecfc
@harry_jc1: This doesn’t relegate us, we haven’t been good enough for a long time. However, two weeks ago, Timur scores vs Burton and it’s wrongly ruled out, Lincon’s goal is offside and now this. Fine margins that are costing us points. Officiating is nowhere near good enough #ecfc
@BenECFC1904: It’s often said that decisions balance themselves out over the course of a season – if that’s the case, we’re in for a hell of a final 8 games because I reckon we’re due a 12 goal swing in our favour #ECFC
@Zack_mackinz: Poor decision yes but we are honking out the gaff here lads #ECFC
@_JoshDenham: As bad as the officials are, sideways and backwards and 5 at the back with a square peg in a round hole at LWB for 82% of the season is the actual reason we’re shite and going down. #ECFC
@JohnBridger_: This referee is something else 😂 #ECFC
@grecian10681068: That is pretty shocking to be fair.
@mikeythorne21: Decisions in the burton game and this one really hurt. Cant think of many things going our way either. The officiating standard in this country is horrific
@ecfc32: Luton got a penalty for this by the way hahahahaha. And the EFL say their referees are up to standard #ecfc #ltfc
@7Daz3: If this was in the Premier league it would get more coverage. It’s only little old Exeter so it won’t. Unbelievable that the pen went the the player in orange. HOW???
@GrecianInItaly: How is this a penalty for Luton? Luton (orange) given a penalty because of “handball” by Exeter City (blue). I was going to be annoyed if ref gave a corner as it was a push on City, but no, it was worse #ECFC @EFL sort your refs out
@kd_4002: Here it is hahahaha gets worse and worse every single time @refsupportuk can you defend this?
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