Tom Lockyer claims he dreamed of scoring in front of the Bristol City fans as he claimed his first goal for Luton Town in their triumph over the Robins, but the centre-back claimed he should have also been credited with the match-winner.
Lockyer rose on 42 minutes to connect with James Bree's cross and score his first goal since January 2020, and a maiden strike for the Hatters, before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the travelling supporters as Luton took a 1-0 lead.
The 27-year-old has endured, and to some extent savoured, a feisty relationship with the Cider Army since moving to the Championship with Charlton and then Luton, owed to his seven years as a Bristol Rovers favourite.
Lockyer has been repeatedly goaded by City fans and in the previous meeting between the sides in September at Ashton Gate turned and cupped his ears to the Dolman Stand following Danny Hylton's last minute equaliser.
The Wales international was also in the thick of it as Luton bundled in a second on 68 minutes, with Elijah Adebayo claiming the goal but Lockyer insisting he got the final touch.
"I’ve let myself down with the header," Lockyer told Luton Today. "I should’ve just put it in straight away but I’ve headed it at the geezer, he couldn’t sort his feet out and it’s gone in.
“Eli’s been in the game long enough now to know that if he runs away with his hand up, he’s going to get it. When the footage from behind the goal comes out, I fully expect that to go down as mine, and Breezy gets the assist he deserves.
“He’s got loads of goals already. I was obviously a bit gutted coming off at the end, knowing I was on a hat-trick.
"I went to sleep last night, thinking I was going to score down that (away) end, which obviously happened. I didn’t know I was going to score at the other end as well, but it is what it is. I’ll take it. It’s a good night for me."
Lockyer's goal was predictably widely celebrated by Rovers fans on social media as they also won 3-2 at Scunthorpe United.
On a more serious note, however, Lockyer's impact in the City penalty area highlighted a continued concern for Nigel Pearson as his Robins side remain vulnerable from set-pieces and crosses.
City have let in 14 goals in their five Championship matches since Christmas and 10 have been either from opposition crosses or corners. Worryingly, only Reading are allowing more crosses than the Robins who are conceding an average of 22 per game.
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