MX23RW : Sunday, March 6 04:00:19| >> :600:100038:100038:
Aug 2, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at Kenilworth Road
LutonLuton Town
3-3
Middlesbrough
Bradley (17'), Cranie (24'), Collins (85')
FT(HT: 2-2)
Fletcher (7'), Assombalonga (37'), Wing (68')

Result: Luton, Middlesbrough share the spoils in thrilling Championship opener

Result: Luton, Middlesbrough share the spoils in thrilling Championship opener
© Reuters
Hatters get a point on their return to English football's second tier.

James Collins' late goal earn Luton a deserved point from a thrilling Sky Bet Championship game with Middlesbrough at Kenilworth Road.

Boro hit back from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 and Britt Assombalonga had the chance to increase that advantage from the penalty spot – but he missed.

And Collins made them pay five minutes from time when he swept in a loose ball to ensure a 3-3 draw for the Hatters on their return to the second tier of English football.

The visitors had the first chance of the game, with Ashley Fletcher's drive narrowly off-target after Pelly Ruddock gave the ball away.

They were ahead though with just seven minutes on the clock, Fletcher rising highest to nod home Marvin Johnson's inch-perfect cross.

Town were level in the 17th minute when captain Sonny Bradley, who did not score at all last season, hammered a magnificent 22-yard volley beyond goalkeeper Darren Randolph and into the roof of the net.

After Paddy McNair had shot wide for Boro, Luton went 2-1 up when Andrew Shinnie's corner was met by the head of defender Martin Cranie.

Hatters goalkeeper Simon Sluga pulled off a top-drawer save to tip Johnson's curling attempt over the bar – but he was beaten moments later in embarrassing fashion.

Shinnie gave the ball away and it was fed to Assombalonga whose tame effort went through the keeper's grasp and into the net for 2-2 with just eight minutes of the half remaining.

Callum McManaman ought to have put Luton back in front, volleying off target at the back post from Collins' cross – and Collins thought he had made it 3-2 in the opening minutes of the second period, only to see his goal ruled out for handball.

McNair's cross-shot clipped the top of the bar, Lewis Wing thundered a shot high and wide of Sluga's post, while the home side's Dan Potts had appeals for a penalty turned down after being clipped inside the box.

Wing blasted Boro ahead after 69 minutes, beating Sluga with a swerving drive after some clever build-up play.

However, Assombalonga fluffed a great chance to put the game to bed with nine minutes to play, skying his spot-kick after Cranie fouled Hayden Coulson in the area.

Sluga saved bravely from the forward and Town went on to make the visitors pay.

Harry Cornick's cross found Potts, and although his shot was blocked, Collins was on hand to level the scores.

The Hatters thought they had won the contest in stoppage time – but Collins was denied superbly by Randolph.

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Jack Stacey pictured in March 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Huddersfield TownHuddersfield361711849361362
3Bournemouth32187752292361
4Blackburn RoversBlackburn351691046361057
5Queens Park RangersQPR35168115041956
6Middlesbrough34167114536955
7Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd341591045351054
8Luton TownLuton34159104739854
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3414101046341252
10Millwall341410103734352
11Coventry CityCoventry34149114441351
12Preston North EndPreston361214104040050
13West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom351310123732549
14Blackpool35139134141048
15Stoke CityStoke34128144239344
16Swansea CitySwansea33128133744-744
17Cardiff CityCardiff36126184355-1242
18Birmingham CityBirmingham361010164256-1440
19Bristol City36117184665-1940
20Hull City36107193041-1137
21Reading35105204268-2629
22Derby CountyDerby361112133639-324
23Barnsley3458212450-2623
24Peterborough UnitedPeterborough3456232469-4521

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