Luton Town assistant manager Chris Powell has reignited the debate over video-assisted refereeing in the third tier after two contentious goals handed Stevenage a 2-1 victory at Broadhall Way.

Two goals, two disputes

Stevenage opened the scoring through Dan Kemp, but the goal was surrounded by controversy. Powell, speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, described a foul by Stevenage midfielder Dan Phillips on Liam Walsh as "blatant", insisting that "everyone in the stadium" was waiting for the referee's whistle. The replays, he felt, only confirmed what those inside the ground had already seen with their own eyes.

Josh Magennis then doubled the hosts' lead, and Powell was equally forthright about that effort, calling it a "clear offside". With Luton trailing 2-0, Kasey Palmer's shot was deflected in by Mads Andersen to give the Hatters a foothold, but Alex Revell's side held firm to claim all three points.

"Everyone in the stadium is expecting the referee to blow, I know you shouldn't stop," Powell said. "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."

A case for VAR at this level

Powell was careful to acknowledge the difficulty facing match officials, but argued that the stakes in League One are too high for key decisions to go unchecked.

"I get it, referees have a tough job. But surely there is an argument for VAR at this level," he said. "It can cost teams points, it can cost people jobs."

He added: "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."

The argument for extending VAR below the top two divisions is not new, but Powell's comments give it fresh urgency. In a division where goal difference and a handful of points can separate a play-off place from mid-table obscurity, the margin for officiating error is slender.

Wilshere banned for Bradford visit

The fallout from the defeat extends beyond the result itself. Luton head coach Jack Wilshere was sent off during the match after protesting over the disputed opener, meaning he will serve a touchline ban for the Hatters' next league fixture, at home to Bradford City on 19 September. Powell will therefore have to oversee that game from the dugout in his manager's absence.

The defeat leaves Luton eighth in the early League One standings after six matches, with a record of two wins, two draws and two losses. Stevenage, meanwhile, climbed to fourth following their victory, underlining a promising start to the campaign for Revell's side.

Context for both clubs

For Luton, the result is a frustrating setback in what has been an uneven opening to the season. The switch to a back three, covered previously on this site, has brought some structural benefits, but the Hatters will be acutely aware that dropped points at this early stage can prove costly in such a competitive division.

Stevenage, for their part, will be less concerned with the manner of the goals than with the substance of three points. A fourth-place position, if maintained, would put Boro firmly in contention for the top six as the table begins to take shape.

Whether Powell's call for VAR finds any traction with the football authorities remains to be seen. For now, League One clubs must continue to rely on the same officiating structure as always, for better or worse.

Frequently asked

Why was Jack Wilshere sent off in the Stevenage vs Luton match?
Wilshere was sent off after protesting to the referee over Stevenage's opening goal, which Luton felt should have been disallowed for a foul on Liam Walsh before Dan Kemp scored.
What did Chris Powell say about VAR in League One?
Luton assistant manager Chris Powell said the two disputed Stevenage goals make 'a case for VAR' in the third tier, arguing that refereeing errors at this level can cost teams points and managers their jobs.
Where does Luton Town sit in the League One table after the Stevenage defeat?
The defeat left Luton eighth in the League One table after six matches, with two wins, two draws and two losses.