Luton Town claimed a controversial victory over Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough to strengthen their place in third.
The visitors took the early initiative in an entertaining meeting at Kenilworth Road, with Cameron Archer scoring a cool opener to put Michael Carrick’s side ahead.
Luton hit back through Tom Lockyer’s header after the break, before Carlton Morris scored from the spot after appearing to fall with minimal contact from Boro keeper Zack Steffen while trying to round him.
Luton’s win – the first time they have won five consecutive home games since December 2018 – keeps their feint hopes of automatic promotion alive for at least a further 48 hours.
But, realistically, the Hatters will be preparing for the play-offs knowing that a Sheffield United victory against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday will ensure promotion for the Blades.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Luton
Formation 3-5-2
- 34Horvath
- 4Lockyer
- 5Bradley
- 29BellBooked at 90mins
- 2Drameh
- 17MpanzuSubstituted forBerryat 76′minutesBooked at 78mins
- 13Nakamba
- 22CampbellSubstituted forClarkat 56′minutes
- 45DoughtySubstituted forJohnsonat 83′minutes
- 9MorrisSubstituted forTaylorat 75′minutes
- 11AdebayoSubstituted forFreemanat 84′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Shea
- 8Berry
- 12Lansbury
- 18Clark
- 25Taylor
- 30Freeman
- 48Johnson
Middlesbrough
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Steffen
- 15Dijksteel
- 16Howson
- 26Lenihan
- 3Giles
- 7Barlaser
- 4Mowatt
- 2Jones
- 10ArcherSubstituted forMuniz Carvalhoat 78′minutes
- 27Bola
- 25Crooks
Substitutes
- 9Muniz Carvalho
- 23Roberts
- 29Akpom
- 30Hackney
- 32Bilongo
- 46Stott
- 47Sykes
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 10,063
Live Text
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Match ends, Luton Town 2, Middlesbrough 1.
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Second Half ends, Luton Town 2, Middlesbrough 1.
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Attempt missed. Anfernee Dijksteel (Middlesbrough) with an attempt from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Daniel Barlaser with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Sonny Bradley.
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Offside, Middlesbrough. Jonny Howson tries a through ball, but Isaiah Jones is caught offside.
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Amari’i Bell (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
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Attempt blocked. Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Giles with a cross.
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Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Joseph Johnson.
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Daniel Barlaser (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jordan Clark (Luton Town).
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Substitution, Luton Town. Luke Freeman replaces Elijah Adebayo.
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Substitution, Luton Town. Joseph Johnson replaces Alfie Doughty.
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Alex Mowatt (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town).
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Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Tom Lockyer.
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Attempt blocked. Marc Bola (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonny Howson.
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Substitution, Middlesbrough. Rodrigo Muniz replaces Cameron Archer.
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Luke Berry (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
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Matt Crooks (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Luke Berry (Luton Town).
