Luton begin life back in Championship with six-goal thriller against Middlesbrough

Luton Town 3 Middlesbrough 3

Graeme Jones’s post-match exchange with Jonathan Woodgate summed up a pulsating opening to the new season.

Both men were taking their first steps in management and had witnessed their sides apparently take control and then squander the chance to claim victory in a thrilling, exhausting game that was marked by outstanding goals, a handball controversy, a missed penalty and a wince-inducing goalkeeping error.

“I said to Jonathan Woodgate ‘we’ve only got 45 games to go and your heart’s ten years younger than mine’,” said Jones, the Luton Town manager.

James Collins’ 85th minute equaliser, scored four minutes after Britt Assombalonga had sliced a penalty over the crossbar when presented with the chance to put Middlesbrough 4-2 ahead, ensured Jones avoided defeat in his first game in charge. Woodgate, meanwhile, had Darren Randolph, his goalkeeper, to thank for preserving a point for his side with an outstanding save from Collins in added time when the Luton forward appeared certain to secure victory for his club in their first match at this level in 12 years.

Before then, the game had see-sawed dramatically with Martin Cranie and Sonny Bradley putting the home side ahead after Ashley Fletcher’s opening goal before Simon Sluga, the goalkeeper signed this summer for £1.5 million in. deal that broke the club’s 30-year transfer record, allowed Assombalonga’s tame shot to squirm through his grasp.

Lewis Wing put the visitors ahead in the 68th minute with a fine long-range effort that matched Bradley’s earlier effort, paving the way for the dramatic conclusion to the game.

“It defined the Championship,” said Jones, who admitted the draw would ensure domestic harmony when he returned home to his Middlesbrough-supporting wife. “We concede a set-play, made a mistake and Lewis Wing scored a worldie, but our character got us back in the game. The group is together and has a lot of strength in unity. I liked us technically and tactically tonight.”

Woodgate was similarly enthused after his first competitive since succeeding Tony Pulis at the end of last season. “Unbelievable. What a game. I loved every minute of it, especially the second half when we went out to win it,” said the former England centre-half whose Middlesbrough roots run deep.

“I felt super proud, humbled to be the manager of this football club. It’s an unbelievable feeling when you see players running an extra yard for you. When they shout your name and you can see them celebrating. It reminds me of why I was going to Ayresome Park as a young lad. I’ve come all the way through as a player, captain, coach, and now I’m the manager, it’s a spectacular feeling when you are in charge of those players. It’s the closest feeling to being a player. Bring on next Saturday.”

Fletcher headed Boro ahead after eight minutes but Cranie’s far post header ten minutes later followed by Bradley’s first goal since joining Luton last summer - a powerful shot struck on the full from 25 yards - put the home side in charge. That lead disappeared, however, when Sluga, the Croatia international, lost concentration and allowed Assombalonga to level. “I thought he was excellent apart from that moment,” said Jones. “He will put it behind him.”

Woodgate was similarly forgiving of Assombalonga for the 81st minute penalty miss that came after Wing’s strike. “Britt will take the next penalty and he’ll score it,” said Woodgate. But the miss allowed Collins, booked early in the second half for diverting the ball past Randolph with his hand, to score the late equaliser that ensured stalemate.