Luton Town came from behind against Blackburn Rovers and then held on in a nervy finale to secure their place in the Championship and pull off one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history.
Seven points, Town were effectively adrift of safety when Coronavirus struck in March and a change of manager during football’s suspension saw former boss Nathan Jones to orchestrated a miracle and earn himself redemption after leaving for Stoke in January 2019.
They hadn’t been out of the bottom three since falling into the drop zone on Boxing Day and to everyone but Jones, his staff, the board and this winning group of players, they were odds on to return to League One after just one season.
But after taking 16 points from the final 27 available they finished two points above the drop zone and can now plan for another campaign in the second tier.
James Collins’ 60th minute penalty proved the difference and put Town 3-1 up after two first-half own goals from Blackburn overturned Armstrong’s opener.
With results elsewhere going for Town it was effectively a £6million spot-kick from which they just had to hold on. But an anxiety inducing final 15 minutes, plus seven addition minutes, were ensured when Gallagher flicked in a second for Rovers.
But Luton repelled ball after ball boomed into their box with Spurs loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers and absolute rock.
And then when the final whistle blew there was pandemonium on the pitch and more than a little in the directors’ box as the Hatters celebrated. One can only wonder what the scene would have been like if the fans had been in this wonderful old stadium.
There’ll be more than a few sore heads in Luton come tomorrow morning. If ever a collective hangover is deserved it will then.
