Late goal sees Luton beat dropzone rivals Hull to take fight to final day
Luton Town struck with five minutes remaining to beat relegation rivals Hull City, as the fight against relegation was taken to the final day.
Substitute Kazenga LuaLua scored the only goal at the KC Stadium, as the winger lashed home a long range effort to decide the clash between two of the sides who began the day in the bottom 3.
Ahead of the final day, Luton are level on points with Charlton either side of the dropzone, after the South Londoners scored an injury time equaliser in their clash with Wigan Athletic.
In all, 5 teams will enter the final day split by 5 points and at risk of demotion, and if Barnsley win their game in hand against Nottingham Forest today (19/07), they will stay in the picture and keep alive their hopes.
Further complicating the picture is a 12 point deduction being applied to Wigan at the end of the season over their controversial administration. At present, the Latics are only 10 points clear and would go down.
The two sides entered this clash looking for a reaction after their midweek games. Luton conceded a late equaliser in a home clash with QPR when victory would’ve seen them jump above Charlton, while Hull were demolished 8-0 at Wigan.
Luton also had further issues as full-back Dan Potts was injured in the warm-up, and while the away side adjusted, it was Hull who had the better of the early stages. George Honeyman had an early sight at goal, with Simon Sluga having to tip away a free-kick.
But while Hull were improved from their surrender at the DW Stadium on Tuesday, Luton were able to keep them at arms length, and able to soak up the direct approach tried by the Tigers.
Perhaps the best other chance for Hull came shortly after the first half drink break, as Tom Eaves headed wide. Before the pause, Hull keeper Matt Ingram was called into action to deny Luke Berry at the end of a Luton move.
After half-time, Luton looked more dangerous. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu saw an effort deflected wide when he was found in the box, before Glen Rea saw a header graze the bar.
Danny Hylton then saw two efforts bounce narrowly wide just after his arrival off the bench, while his fellow sub George Moncur was denied by Ingram.
But it was another Hatters sub who would provide the match-winner. LuaLua was able to receive the ball, and after running forward, fired a long ranger that crashed beyond Ingram into the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting delegation.
Despite six minutes remaining and an extra five of injury time, Luton controlled the closing stages and took a huge three points in their quest to retain their second tier status.
It all sets up a nervy final day, where Luton host Blackburn Rovers at Kenilworth Road for a 7:30pm kick-off on Wednesday with no doubt one eye checking score apps for the latest in games involving Wigan, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Charlton, Hull and Barnsley as the season draws to a belated close.