Luton left it late to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Derby in the Sky Bet Championship.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s volley deflected off team-mate Tom Holmes for an 89th-minute leveller before Carlton Morris grabbed an added-time winner for the hosts.
Kayden Jackson’s clinical headed effort had given Derby the lead, but Luton’s fortunes turned late on as they snatched three points under the lights and sent the Kenilworth Road crowd into ecstasy.
Elijah Adebayo looked bright in the early exchanges and he won his side a dangerous set-piece when his run in behind the Derby defence saw him wrestled to the ground. The free-kick was clipped towards the near post where skipper Morris’ header skimmed the left-hand post and went behind for a goal kick.
Tahith Chong was deployed as a wing-back by manager Rob Edwards and the former Manchester United player’s explosive pace was on full display as he was often seen striding down the right channel.
Chong’s willingness to dribble almost saw the hosts break the deadlock after 22 minutes. The 25-year-old skipped past his marker down the right but after he cut inside, he hesitated too long on the ball and failed to find the unmarked Jacob Brown as he was dispossessed inside the six-yard box.
A first 45 minutes of promising play but no end product summed up Town’s season up to this point, and after the break they continued to create chances to no avail.
Tom Krauss’ first-time whipped delivery after 54 minutes was met by the head of Adebayo but despite the forward’s impressive leap, his effort was guided off target.
Typical of the Hatters’ luck, Derby went down the other end to score from their first chance of note. After Kane Wilson played a one-two, the right-back whipped a cross into the area which was converted by Jackson as he used the pace of the delivery to float his finish into the bottom right-hand corner.
A heroic acrobatic save by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to deny Morris again made it seem that a goal was not to be for Edwards’ men as they threw numbers forward in a bid to grab the leveller.
Luton finally got what they deserved in the dying minutes when a free-kick was cleared as far as Mpanzu 20 yards out, and his superb volley skimmed off the back of Holmes who was credited with the goal.
That set up a barnstorming finish and, in the second of six added minutes, a poor clearance rebounded off Chong to Adebayo. His effort was brilliantly saved by Zetterstrom but captain Morris followed up and kept his composure, with his fierce finish deflecting off his opposite number Sonny Bradley into the top corner.
The managers
Luton’s Rob Edwards:
“I’m full of relief, I’m proud of the lads because we’ve found a way to win. I feel for Paul Warne but I have pride in the lads for finding a way.
“The pitch is difficult at the moment and we were up against a physical team, it was horrible to watch so I can understand why it was a difficult atmosphere.
“I’d love for everyone to be believing all the time but we need to win games for people to be happy.
“I thought we’d played our cards and I just hoped. I knew we’d get a chance whether it’s a set-piece or a cross, but I hoped.
“I don’t care how they go in even if it is a deflection. We needed personality. It’s nice to have your leader popping up, it’s a great feeling for Carlton.”
Derby’s Paul Warne:
“I feel a bit raw with emotion for the lads.
“They gave everything, I think we played really well. Unfortunately the last four minutes are what the game will be remembered for and they were harsh on my boys I think.”
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