Second successive play-off final victory meant far more to Luton's USA international keeper Horvath

Winning the Championship play-off final for the second successive season meant that little bit more to a lost for words Luton keeper Ethan Horvath on Saturday.

The 27-year-old had been part of the Nottingham Forest team who had done so last term, beating Town’s conquerors Huddersfield Town 1-0 at Wembley, with Horvath on as a late substitute for the injured Brice Samba.

However, leading up to the final, the USA international had been on the periphery at the City Ground, with just six league outings, as he played very much second fiddle to his French team-mate.

Fast forward 12 months though and taking his place between the posts for the Hatters, Horvath, who moved to Kenilworth Road on loan in the summer, had already completed a half century of matches for Town, keeping 20 clean sheets in the process.

Following 120 minutes and penalties, he was then celebrating once more, Town winning 6-5 in the shoot-out, although this time Horvath knew he had played a much greater role in the success, saying: “I’m really just so grateful for it.

"It was a bit different compared to last year as this year was my 52nd game, so feelings, emotions, through the roof.