Luton Town 3-1 Blackpool: Hatters go nine unbeaten to pile misery on Seasiders

Luton Town are now unbeaten in their past nine Championship games

Luton Town came from behind to beat Championship strugglers Blackpool in the Seasiders' first game since former boss Mick McCarthy left the club.

McCarthy departed on Saturday after less than three months in charge following their miserable 3-1 defeat by fellow strugglers Cardiff on Good Friday.

The visitors led through Andy Lyons' header from a Lewis Fiorini free-kick, but Luton responded via Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu just before the break.

Carlton Morris fired home from close range to put Luton ahead and Mpanzu's second shored up the Hatters' position in third place and took their unbeaten run to nine games.

Relegation-threatened Blackpool remain seven points from safety with five matches still to play, while fourth-bottom Cardiff have a game in hand.

Development coach Stephen Dobbie took charge of the trip to Kenilworth Road and the visitors had the perfect start against the in-form Hatters.

They went ahead in the 29th minute when Fiorini floated a free-kick into the box, with Lyons swiftly heading past goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

Allan Campbell almost levelled immediately, but Curtis Nelson denied him with a last-ditch tackle. Mpanzu, though, latched onto Morris' headed delivery to fire home inside the Seasiders' box.

The hosts controlled the second half, with Morris edging them ahead and Mpanzu's 76th-minute drive capping off the comeback.

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards:

"We talked about the expectancy and we had to deal with that.

"It was never going to be like the previous home game [against Watford]. The expectancy is we're third, they're in the bottom three, so just turn up and win, and we know it's not like that.

"We were a little bit open at times in the first half and then when they got that first goal from a set-play, which is unlike us, the job's doubly difficult.

"We showed great character and belief in what we do as well. So in the end, delighted, but at the time and during the game I think we all sensed it, it was a dangerous game that one."

Blackpool interim manager Stephen Dobbie:

"I think the response from the players was fantastic.

"We only had Sunday to prepare, we watched a couple of Luton's games late on Saturday night and we tried to prepare Sunday morning.

"It's been a quick turnaround but the effort, especially in the first half, the boys created some great chances going forward and it was very positive.

"We're disappointed, as we said to them in there, but we've got five cup finals, so it's like a goldfish - it's already forgotten about for me."