Luton’s great escape is on after substitute Kazenga LuaLua’s late long-range blockbuster settled a Championship relegation six-pointer against fellow strugglers Hull.
Now Town know they preserve the second tier status if they beat Blackburn Rovers in a final day decider at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday night. There is a chance that they won’t even need that because of this massive three points.
The official Championship table will show the Hatters still in the bottom three courtesy of goal difference, but level on points with currently safe Charlton who scored a late equaliser against Wigan in the lunch-time kick-off.
That Addicks goal means the Latics, with their 12-point deduction still to come for going into administration, are effectively in the drop zone with the Hatters just above the trap door.
If they didn’t know it before kick-off at the KCOM Stadium, it also meant Luton knew they had to win to ensure their fate remained in their own hands.
There was a predictably tight and tense first half, with little to get excited about but after the break Town took the game to the Tigers.
But for all their pressure it looked like nothing would come of it, particularly after the excellent Glen Rea – returning after four matches out – missed the best chance when he headed over from close range.
But then manager Nathan Jones sent on his game-changers from the 70th minute.
Substitutes Danny Hylton and George Moncur both had opportunities but it was LuaLua that made the vital difference.
Hull couldn’t get a handle on his twists and turns and, in the 85th minute, one step-over bamboozled Daniel Batty and he blasted low in the corner from 25 yards.
He somersaulted towards a delirious Hatters bench having sent them into the dreamland and Hull almost certainly down.
