Tunnicliffe scores as Hatters finally end away day misery with superb Boro win

What a difference a week makes.

This time last Saturday, the Hatters were suffering, unluckily so it must be said, their 21st defeat out of 31 this season, beaten 1-0 at home by Cardiff, dropping 10 points from safety, with many predicting a swift return to League One.

Wednesday night saw sparks of a revival, Sheffield Wednesday defeated 1-0 at Kenilworth Road, as the victory saw Town move off the bottom.

The main question remained though – could Town do it away from home, as they headed to one of the toughest grounds in the division to do so, the Riverside, where hosts Middlesbrough, although not pulling up any trees this term, were unbeaten since October 19, only losing three all term.

Defeat would have made it a club record 13 straight losses in all competitions on the road, with Town losing every single match in league and cup since beating Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on September 28.

However, 90 minutes later, then those fears were no longer, as Hatters fans and players were toasting a second successive victory and clean sheet, as their survival hopes are now seriously alive and kicking, just four points from the dotted line.

It was also a turnaround for match-winner Ryan Tunnicliffe, who was substituted to cheers from the home fans last weekend, but responded with a fine display in midweek and then popped up with the only goal of the contest on 17 minutes.

Town didn't just hang on from there either, as although stats will show they had 42 per cent of possession, Boro never seriously tested keeper Simon Sluga, failing to register a shot on target as he followed up his first clean sheet on Wednesday with a maiden shut out on the road.

With it being Luton's third game in seven days, boss Graeme Jones rung the changes, dropping both Izzy Brown and Glen Rea to the bench, the pair still only just returning from lengthy spells out with injuries.