Luton Town needed a heroic comeback in Tuesday’s EFL Championship promotion playoff second leg to keep its season alive and Rob Edwards’ squad did just that at Kenilworth Road against Sunderland.
Ethan Horvath registered a two-save clean sheet as the Hatters defeated the Black Cats 2-0 on Tuesday night. Gabriel Osho and Tom Lockyer both celebrated first-half goals as Luton Town advanced to May 27’s promotion playoff final vs. Coventry City at Wembley Stadium.
Horvath’s clean sheet was his 20th in league play this season, moving him one behind Coventry City’s Ben Wilson for the league-lead.
Osho’s close-range finish in the 10th minute tied things up on aggregate for Luton Town before the hosts took advantage of the tie just before halftime.
Alfie Doughty’s cross was headed home by Lockyer, boosting the Hatters in front 3-2 on aggregate with 45+ minutes to play.
Jack Clarke was denied by Horvath early in the second half before the Luton Town defense bunkered down and did not allow a single shot on goal the rest of the way.
Fellow American Lynden Gooch played 77 minutes for Sunderland in the defeat. Gooch made 32 combined league appearances for the Black Cats this season.
Luton Town’s heroic climb continues with a showdown against Coventry City in the promotion final. After playing non-league football just 10 years ago, the Hatters are seeking a first promotion back to the top-flight since 1996.