Luton Town 3-1 Middlesbrough: Hatters ruin record-breaking Neil Warnock's night

Luton have now lost just once in their past 12 home league gamesImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Luton have now lost just once in their past 12 home league games

Luton Town stunned record-breaking Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock with three goals in five sensational minutes to steal all three points.

Taking charge of his 1,602nd game in league management, to beat former Crewe boss Dario Gradi's mark, Warnock had never suffered defeat in 12 previous meetings against the Hatters with all his previous clubs.

But the 13th proved unlucky despite going in 1-0 up in the 15th minute after youngster Josh Coburn slid in at the far post to connect with Andraz Sporar's low cross.

Luton levelled on 57 minutes when skipper Sonny Bradley headed in James Bree's corner.

Striker Elijah Adebayo, recalled after proving his fitness, then pounced on a through-ball to blast home on the hour, before Harry Cornick sprinted clear two minutes later to cash in on a loose backpass. He drilled a finish into the far corner to lift Nathan Jones' side into the Championship top six.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Boro teenager Josh Coburn marked his first league start - and boss Neil Warnock's 1,602nd in league management - with his second goal for the club

Boro broke the deadlock with their first shot on target and might have had a penalty too when Dan Potts bundled over Isaiah Jones inside the box.

But the visitors had chances to level before the break. From a long throw, Bree's far-post header had to be cleared off the line.

But Luton drew level when the Boro defence switched off from a corner, allowing an unmarked Bradley to power home a downward header for his first goal of the season.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu then set up top scorer Adebayo to take a touch and hammer low into the net from another set-piece before the turnaround was complete when Henri Lansbury forced an error, allowing Cornick to run through and find the bottom corner.

Boro pressed late and Marcus Tavernier's free-kick was blocked by home keeper Simon Sluga and substitute James Lea Siliki had two attempts off target.

Town climb back into the play-off places ahead of Saturday's home game with Stoke, when Warnock's 1,603rd game will be at West Bromwich Albion.

From 1-0 down on 57 minutes . . .

Image source, Rex Features
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Luton skipper Sonny Bradley's header drew the Hatters level

. . . to 3-1 up on 62 minutes

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Harry Cornick finished Boro off with the third Luton goal

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"We came out second half and were really aggressive. We pride ourselves on our levels of fitness and we knew could go beyond them.

"We're working class. But class. We scored three goals and it didn't flatter us. It could have been more. Harry Cornick could have had a hat-trick.

"To a man they were excellent and I was delighted with the levels we attained. We love the night games here. This place rocks."

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:

"I felt we were let down with the penalty decisions. The linesman overruled the referee on the Isaiah Jones one and we should have had another when he gave the free-kick just outside the box.

"But it's a game we should still have won. We just don't have that nastiness they've got, that you need in the Championship. We haven't got enough of that. We're quite a nice team.

"We just didn't seem to get the rub of the green all night. But we never get anything off that one linesman whenever we have him. I won't miss him when I finally retire."

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