Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Middlesbrough have played some excellent football. It's been a great first 45 minutes for them. At times they've had to defend but Luton haven't cut them open and the centre halves have done well dealing with the long balls and the long throws. I think they've been excellent at the back.

Cameron Archer has been a real thorn for Luton, he picks up lovely positions in case his team pinch it and if they do he's away, and then you have Zack Steffen with a big save just before half-time.

It's a 10/10 half for Middlesbrough so far, considering how much they have changed the side. I don't think Luton expected this performance from Boro.

There we go.

Cameron Archer's goal, right in the middle of a Luton purple-patch, was enough to give Middlesbrough a half-time lead.

Boro had threatened such a chance a few times, and Luton didn't heed the warning.

The home side, who were third before tonight, almost levelled before the break but Zack Steffen reacted really smartly to deny Elijah Adebayo.

Still all to play for. But advantage very much Boro.

Luton so close!

Elijah Adebayo just brushes his way into the box with that powerful stride, and his deflected cross-shot almost spooks goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is on the scene but it won't break for him, and Boro clear.

Luton seem to have been really subdued by that goal and Boro's chests are puffed out with a bit of belief.

Michael Carrick has his little notepad out of his big Moose Knuckles coat. "Give it to Archer" maybe?

Three minutes of added time.

How to knock a team off their rhythm eh?

Middlesbrough were on their own line seconds before, but the pace of Cameron Archer gives them a brilliant outlet with a simple, well-placed pass.

Luton have only made one change but it's the 'patched-up' Teessiders who are the team ahead.

And a what a fine, apt celebration as well from Mr Archer. Like a young Robin Hood.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

That's a lovely ball from Matt Crooks, the keeper dwells a bit, Cameron Archer pinches it, the centre half dives in but he pulls it back like... what's the one with the bull? A matador! and walks it in.

That has been on so many times, he's been unfortunate he's not been able to get on the end of any of them before now.

Luton can't quite hit that money-ball, with a low, slick fizzer into Elijah Adebayo just off-radar, and Jonny Howson could clear.

Amari'i Bell tosses one up to Carlton Morris that Ryan Giles clears, but only to a Luton man.

Cody Drameh then wraps his foot round a cross which Howson heads away...

Tom Lockyer pumps a header at goal from a Luton corner at the back post, but it's saved.

Physio will be happy he was confident enough to stick his noggin on it.

That corner is cleared, but Boro concede another. Sonny Bradley tries to put that one across goal but it's fired away.

On the break, Isaiah Jones clips Amari'i Bell as he chases the ball back to his goal, and Luton get a free-kick. Good job for them, as Jones was in otherwise.

Tom Lockyer is getting a change of shirt following his collision, but is good to carry on.

No Steve Foster bandage though, which should come with a flowing brown locks wig if it is to be worn. Not that Lockyer needs that. He's got a good mane.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Tom Lockyer might be feeling that knock he picked up with Matt Crooks and in this day and age you can't take risks. He might need a Steve Foster headband. 100% if you search the words Steve Foster you'll end up with a picture of his headband.

Marc Bola loses possession outside the Boro penalty area and Luton sweep forward.

Marvelous Nakamba slips it wide to Elijah Adebayo but the cross is cleared, and Cody Drameh's speculative effort is blocked.

Tom Lockyer down receiving treatment. Treatment around the eye.

Loose touch from Cody Drameh in the wet, from a routine pass from Tom Lockyer in space, lets Boro back into their end.

However, the throw-in is loose and Luton smuggle it away.

Darragh Lenihan looks for Alex Mowatt into the left channel, but Ethan Horvath is out to gather.

Luton play long down the pitch, seeking a flick on from Elijah Adebayo to put Carlton Morris in, but Boro's Jonny Howson hooks it away.

Tom Lockyer and Boro's Matt Crooks go up for a 50-50 in the air, and the Luton centre-back came out of the tussle physically dominant.

Boro just about clear a Cody Drameh cross. Luton's turn to toy with their opponents.

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Barlaser again measures a slide-rule pass into the Luton penalty area but the bright orange shirts of Luton just get into the ball first.

Marvelous Nakamba is the powerhouse in midfield, and he wins a free-kick as a frustrated Anfernee Dijksteel snakes out a boot to haul him down.

Alfie Doughty puts in a couple of crosses for Luton, but they're hung up rather than whipped in.

Boro goalkeeper Zack Steffen deals with both.

Carlton Morris whips out a step-over and tries to barge beyond Boro defender Anfernee Dijksteel, but the Dutchman stands his ground, wins the ball and then buys a free-kick.

Morris' quizzical look to the referee earns him little reprieve.

Free-kick. Better from Luton though, more purpose.

Big chance for Middlesbrough, Anfernee Dijksteel putting Isaiah Jones into a world of space down the right.

Brilliant phrasing on the ball to get it to sit into his stride, and the wing-back looks up to roll the pass into the on-coming Matt Crooks, but his first-time effort arcs harmlessly over.

Luton fashion a chance.

Brilliant dig-out of a cross from the left by Alfie Doughty, and Elijah Adebayo does well to bring it down.

It's a shuffle of the ball with neat footwork to open up a sliver of a gap, but it's straight at Boro keeper Zack Steffen.

Ethan Horvath had to be alert for Luton, racing out to beat away a Dan Barlaser through-ball with Cameron Archer on the hunt.

Good pace, and a perfect pass from Barlaser. Horvath brave and strong too.

Fine battle.