Cornick: Championship finale was a horrible experience

Luton attacker Harry Cornick admitted it was a ‘horrible’ experience having to run the emotional gauntlet of keeping the club in the Championship during the 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers last night.

Town went into the game as one of seven teams involved in the battle to stay up, Hatters knowing that they needed a win to virtually assure their second tier status.

That was depending on results elsewhere too, while a draw could have been enough, with a defeat also potentially keeping them up, although that was never considered a realistic option.

In the end, Luton got the three points required, ensuring they didn't have to rely on anyone else, as Cornick said: “Everyone says just play your own game, but everyone knew the results we had to get, the results elsewhere we were all depending on, so we were relying on other people and trying to get our own result.

“It was a horrible game because the whole time I was thinking ‘what are the other results, how are Wigan getting on? How are Hull getting on?’

“But we knew if we had won we would have got the job done, we hung on in the end and won 3-2.”

As it proved, Luton need the victory as a late winner for Barnsey at promotion-chasing Brentford meant the Tykes would have finished above Luton had they conceded a late leveller, with Town then needing to wait for for Wigan’s points deduction for entering administration to be confirmed

Cornick, who was substituted after 70 minutes, didn’t enjoy for one second his experience of watching on from the bench in the closing stages.

The former Bournemouth winger continued: “I came off and it was the longest 15 minutes of my life.

"I couldn’t watch, I hated it, but it’s done now, we’re staying in the Championship.

“It wasn’t comfortable, I was sat up there (stands) and couldn’t watch, but the defenders did unbelievably today.

“Matty Pearson, miracle, I don't know how he's played, he’s battled through and credit to the back five, they've all been brilliant.

“Breesy (James Bree) winning his headers, Cam (Cameron Carter-Vickers) was unbelievable, he was touch and go to make the game.

“Sonny (Bradley) every game, wins his headers, (Martin) Cranie filling in at left back for us, (Simon) Sluga in the net, they clung on and got the win, I’m just so happy.

“We had the scores up, I was just walking up and down along the touchline, just checking the scores every few minutes and it was horrible.

“I kept looking at the clock, the clock was going backwards, but it’s done now, so we can relax and have a beer.”

Luton had got into their position after Rovers scored two own goals through Hayden Carter and Bradley Johnson, before Cornick was fouled in the area by Jacob Davenport on the hour mark, James Collins bagging his 14th of the season from the spot to make it breathing.

He said: “I do not care how they go in, as long as they went in the back of the net.

“When it went 2-1, we knew we just had to see it out and then it went 3-1.

“It was a clear trip, he’s touched me in the area, I’ve gone down, it’s a penalty.

“Collo’s dispatched it well, no doubts it was a penalty, and no doubts Collo’s scoring it, he's always scoring the pen.”

Rover then scored another with 15 minutes to go and with seven minutes of stoppage time added, it meant at the final whistle there were scenes of unbridled joy from both players and staff.

Describing his emotions, Cornick added: “Just pure relief really to get it done.

“It’s been a long season with the setbacks and with the whole coronavirus going on, it’s been a long, long season, but we've achieved what we set out to do.

“We’re staying in the Championship and hopefully we can have a better season next year and not be in this position on the last day.

“I’m just delighted for the team and delighted for Luton Town as a whole as we deserve to be in the Championship.

"You can hear what it means to the fans, I just can't wait to celebrate as we deserve this.”