Luton defeated by Huddersfield Town in play-off semi-finals
Luton Town’s promotion dreams were ended by Huddersfield Town in the play-off semi-finals.
One goal decided a frantic second leg at the John Smith’s Stadium, with Huddersfield sub Jordan Rhodes scoring a winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The Hatters had enjoyed several chances in the first half of proceedings, but a failure to beat Lee Nicholls would ultimately lead to defeat in West Yorkshire and an end to Luton’s season.
While Huddersfield will play Nottingham Forest or Sheffield United for a place in next season’s Premier League, Luton will have a 4th season in the Championship next time out.
The Hatters’ top scorer Elijah Adebayo began on the bench, but the away side would create a number of early chances. Harry Cornick saw one effort fly wide before another from close range after Kal Naismith’s cross was denied by Nicholls.
Robert Snodgrass had an effort blocked by Nicholls, before the former MK Dons goalkeeper later denied James Bree and Danny Hylton narrowly missed getting a touch on a Bree cross.
Harry Toffolo saw a strike saved by Matt Ingram late in the first half, before Daniel Sinani fired wide as the Terriers had a few chances late in the half.
Sinani saw a drive denied by Ingram just after half-time, before Amari’i Bell headed wide from a cross at the other end.
Huddersfield briefly thought they’d taken the lead with 24 minutes to go after Tom Lees headed in from Sorba Thomas’ cross, but a foul on Sonny Bradley chalked the goal off.
Substitute Cameron Jerome fired wide, before Cornick had a strike from Jerome’s through pass kept out by Nicholls.
Ingram then had to make a quickfire double save and survived a penalty appeal against him but as a tight game entered the final stages, it would be the side from Yorkshire with the breakthrough.
A free-kick flown in by Thomas picked out his fellow substitute Rhodes, who prodded out a boot to beat Ingram and put the home side in front.
Huddersfield were able to keep Luton at arms length from there, and that saw the Terriers book their place in the play-off final, and with it their first visit to one since 2017.
Luton, meanwhile, were left to contemplate what might have been as despite a fine season, their hopes of ending a 30 year exile from English football’s top flight were ended.