Goalscorer Ogbene desperate to repay Luton for giving him his Premier League opportunity

Town goalscorer Chiedozie Ogbene hopes his first Premier League strike of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest will continue to pay back the Hatters for giving him an opportunity in the top flight.

The 26-year-old, who was Rob Edwards’ first signing of the summer when arriving on a free from Rotherham United, had gone close in previous matches, but was finally up and running in the highest tier of English football at the City Ground.

With Luton trailing 2-0 and time running out, Ogbene was in the right place to capitalise on some shocking defending by the hosts from Andros Townsend’s free kick to rifle a volley beyond the statuesque Matt Turner with seven minutes to go.

Elijah Adebayo then completed the fight back in stoppage time, as on the goal, the Republic of Ireland international told Match of the Day: “I'm so happy I can contribute any way I can in this team.

"When I came to Luton I was given the opportunity of the Premier League.

"It's something I cherished and I'm sure there were many players out there that they could have selected from and they went with me.

"So I think it was something I wanted to pay back the club for believing in me.”

One the ball smashed into the net, Town then had a good couple of minutes to wait and see if it was going to be awarded, a VAR check for an offside against the goalscorer eventually narrowly going into the visitors’ favour.

Boss Edwards said: “I think I went a big greyer in that moment.

"It felt like a long wait and I’m just really thankful.

"I heard it was tight, they all said it was tight, so I’m just thankful that it was on our side.”

Midfielder Ross Barkley, who had a starring role during his second half cameo, said of the delay: “With VAR you never really know so you’re expecting the worst.

"When it happens you’re relieved but I felt that we were due a bit of luck anyway.

"We were 2-0 down and I felt like it was going to go in our favour, so I was confident the goal would have stood.”

Meanwhile, discussing his summer signing’s goal, Edwards added: “He’s going to get some headlines, his performances have been good for a number of weeks.

"It was good that he got his goal, I thought he was better when he went over on the left hand side when we made some of the changes, he had a real impact.

"I was pleased with Chieo, but I’m always pleased with him.

"He's a great lad, he works really hard and he deserves everything, so he’s got to keep doing it.”