Summary

  • Carter heads in late equaliser for Blackburn against Luton

  • Lockyer had given Hatters second-half lead

  • Blackburn must beat Millwall and hope West Brom or Sunderland fail to win to make top six

  • Boro loss means Hatters will finish third

  • Rotherham beat Middlesbrough to secure Championship safety

  • Odoffin strike from distances gives Millers victory

  • Dijksteel sent off for Boro who will now finish fourth in table

  1. Thank you and see you Thursdaypublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Ben Brereton Diaz on his kneesImage source, Rex Features

    We are into the final seven days of the EFL season, and things are reaching a crescendo.

    Rotherham have secured their Championship future with victory over Middlesbrough, while Blackburn have scraped a draw with Luton to keep their play-off aspirations alive.

    We are back on Thursday night with a big game at the bottom as Huddersfield go in search of a point that would secure their safety and relegate Reading when they entertain Sheffield United.

    Thanks for your company today. Hopefully you can join us for that Yorkshire derby on Thursday.

  2. Two from fivepublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    We already knew Middlesbrough and Luton were guaranteed play-off spots before today's matches, but it remains two from five in the race for the other two.

    Coventry and Millwall are in pole position. Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn must win and hope.

    Final fixtures - Monday 8 May (all 15:00 BST):

    • Middlesbrough v Coventry
    • Millwall v Blackburn
    • Preston v Sunderland
    • Swansea v West Brom
  3. Hatters keep ticking overpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Luton manager Rob Edwards will be disappointed that his players did not see that one through for the three points.

    It would have not changed their position as they will finish third, but it is a 13th game unbeaten - a very impressive feat in the Championship.

    They are heading into the play-offs in impressive shape.

  4. Win and hope (x2)published at 19:28 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    The point keeps Blackburn down in ninth place, but they are now level on points with West Brom and Sunderland on 66.

    They are two points behind Millwall, who they face at the Den next Monday. Win that and they overtake the Lions.

    Then they need to hope that West Brom fail to win at Swansea and Sunderland fail to win at Preston, given that Blackburn's goal difference is 10 and 13 goals worse than those two sides' respectively.

  5. Postpublished at 19:27 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Jonathan Smith
    Former Luton midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

    There have been some positives for Luton today.

    They fought really hard for a point against a team battling for much more.

    The defensive performance was really positive bar that one goal.

  6. Postpublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    The mood around Ewood Park is a pretty despondent one.

    Blackburn fans knew that two wins would be good enough to get them into the top six. With this point, matters are now out of their hands.

  7. Postpublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Andy Bayes
    BBC Radio Lancashire Blackburn commentator

    Blackburn have a glimmer of hope when they go to Millwall next Monday.

    For a long period today, it didn't even look like they would have that.

    You could hear a pin drop in the stadium right now, i'm not sure Rovers supporters know what to think.

  8. FULL-TIMEpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Blackburn's play-off hopes are still alive, just. But it is only thanks to that late goal from Hayden Carter.

    Tom Lockyer's header earlier in the second half looked to have seen the three points heading back to Bedfordshire.

    Blackburn celebrate goalImage source, Rex Features
  9. YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+4 mins

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Sammie Szmodics brings down a Luton man and that is an easy call for the referee.

    Time is almost up.

  10. Postpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Jonathan Smith
    Former Luton midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

    Luton really need to see this out.

    Defend, defend, defend.

    A draw is a good result for us.

    Lets go away happy with a point.

  11. Postpublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Kevin Gallacher
    Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio Lancashire

    I thought that was it!

    What a strike from Szmodics.

    That would have blown the roof off.

    I can't believe it.

  12. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 90+2 mins

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    And when the corner is cleared to Sammie Szmodics, he rattles a volley against the crossbar from the edge of the D.

    That is so unlucky! Szmodics cannot believe it has not gone in.

  13. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    And they have a corner.

  14. INJURY TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    There are ONLY four minutes of injury time for Blackburn to try to fashion a winning goal.

  15. Postpublished at 19:15 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Andy Bayes
    BBC Radio Lancashire's Blackburn commentator

    The noise in the stadium has ramped up!

    Blackburn are all of a sudden banging on the door.

    Those fans who have already left will be disappointed.

    Can Rovers go on and finish the job now?

  16. Postpublished at 19:13 British Summer Time 1 May 2023

    Blackburn 1-1 Luton

    Jonathan Smith
    Former Luton midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

    No one picked Hayden Carter up.

    A free header.

    It's a little disappointing from Luton.

  17. goal

    GOAL: Blackburn 1-1 Lutonpublished at 86 mins

    Hayden Carter

    Blackburn have a lifeline!

    From Sorba Thomas' corner, centre-half Hayden Carter gets free and heads home his first Rovers goal.

    Still time to win it...

  18. Postpublished at 85 mins

    Blackburn 0-1 Luton

    Blackburn really need to try and build up some kind of head of steam, but it does not look like happening.

    The Luton goal is not exactly under siege.

  19. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 83 mins

    Blackburn 0-1 Luton

    A fifth and final change for Luton as Dan Potts replaces on-loan Leeds player Cody Drameh.

  20. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Blackburn 0-1 Luton

    Sharp football from Blackburn, their best for a while.

    But Sammie Szmodics' shot is deflected just wide of the far post.

    Then from the resulting corner, the ball drops to Bradley Dack but he volleys well over under pressure from away defenders.