Luton Town relegated to League One on Championship final day

Luton Town have been relegated to League One on the final day of the Championship season after losing 5-3 away at West Bromwich Albion.

The Hatters started the day a point clear of the relegation zone as they looked to avoid joining Cardiff City and Plymouth in falling through the Championship trap door.

Hull City were the team in the most danger ahead of their trip to Portsmouth as they occupied 22nd place, while Preston North End, Derby County and Stoke City also faced a potentially nervy afternoon.

After Hull drew 1-1 at Fratton Park, it was Luton who were condemned to back-to-back relegations after they suffered a heavy defeat at The Hawthorns.

Three successive victories had given Luton a chance of securing their Championship status and after Millenic Alli cancelled out Tom Fellows' early opener on the final day, Luton's supporters were hopeful of completing the great escape.

But Luton fell apart as Daryl Dike and another Fellows strike gave the Baggies a 3-1 half-time lead, before goals either side of the hour from Callum Styles ended Luton's hopes of getting a result at The Hawthorns.

Jordan Clark and a second from Alli did reduce the deficit but any hopes of survival were dependent on Hull conceding a late goal at Portsmouth.

Ruben Selles' side held on and despite operating in the Premier League last season, Luton will now ply their trade in the the third tier of English football.

Elsewhere, Preston drew 2-2 away at Bristol City after leading 2-0, while Derby and Stoke played out a goalless draw at Pride Park.

Manager Matt Bloomfield's decision to swap a League One promotion challenge with Wycombe Wanderers for a chance to test himself at a higher level has backfired dramatically.

While his old club will be looking to secure promotion back to the Championship through the play-offs, Bloomfield now faces the mammoth task of trying to galvanise a shell-shocked squad of players, some of which had the same sinking feeling just 12 months ago.

Matt Gibbs

• Luton Town F.C.
• Championship
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