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Still smiling after Luton win

Image: John Still: Pleased with his players

John Still lauded Luton's 'winning mentality' after they maintained their superb run with a 2-1 League Two win at Hartlepool.

Still's side extended their unbeaten stretch to seven games with a fifth successive win. It continued a superb turnaround for the Hatters, who began their first Football League campaign in six years by triumphing in just one of the opening six games. Such frustrations seemed resigned to the past at Victoria Park as goals from Mark Cullen and Jim Stevenson rendered Neil Austin's injury-time penalty a mere consolation. "I'm delighted," said Still. "We said before the game every game is going to be different - it's not all about passing and pretty football like last season. "Hartlepool have changed manager and had a good result last week at Exeter who were on a good run. "Conditions were difficult - for both teams - but this was about showing a winning mentality. They got a late penalty, which there's nothing we can do about. "But everyone has worked hard, done their job. All in, for an away performance in difficult circumstances it was first-class." Luton can now enjoy the luxury of successive home games against Dagenham and Northampton, with Still hoping they can maintain their fine form. He added: "We've put a good run together, we have two home games to look forward to. "I'm satisfied with how we are playing, satisfied with my squad of players and how things are going." Pools caretaker boss Sam Collins, who last week oversaw an impressive triumph at Exeter in his first league game since replacing Colin Cooper, criticised the referee Paul Tierney's decision not to award striker Charlie Wyke a penalty in the first half. "We didn't play as well as last week but there was nothing in the game," he said. "But we should have had a stonewall penalty in the first half. It was a terrible decision. "If we had have got the penalty and scored it, I think we probably would have won the game." Collins, though, conceded that his men could have done better for both goals. He admitted: "The goals we conceded were disappointing. We lost due to our own doing." Hartlepool sit just one place above the relegation zone and Collins is targeting an immediate response at Accrington on Tuesday. He added: "We have got to prepare now for Tuesday; it's a big game and we have got to try to pick some points up. "We are not a million miles away; we have got to just cut out the basic errors that we are making." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts

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