Luton suffered a defeat in new manager Rob Edwards’ first game in charge with a 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Hatters had led through Jordan Clark’s wonderful 33rd minute strike, only to see Chuba Akpom quickly restore parity and then Matt Crooks win it in stoppage time after Amari’i Bell had been sent off.
To find out how Town’s players rated on the afternoon, see below.
. MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: A general view outside the stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers at Riverside Stadium on January 24, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Luton were beaten 2-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday Photo: Stu Forster
. Ethan Horvath: 6
Back from World Cup duty, but not a great deal to do in the first half other than pick Akpom’s header out of the net as Boro were kept at arm’s length. One good piece of handling from Watmore’s low drive after the break, it looked like Town’s defence would hang on for a point when Crooks missed, only for the sub to make amends from close range. Photo: Justin Setterfield
. James Bree: 6
Was able to move out to a wingback role again but the majority of Town’s best moments came down the visitors’ left in the first half. Couldn’t get over quickly enough to prevent Giles from picking out Akpom to level just minutes after Luton had taken the lead. Looked secure for most of the second period, before Boro won it, as he was booked for his protests to Bell’s red card as well. Photo: Liam Smith
. Gabe Osho: 6
Kept his place in the back three as Luton have precious few defensive options at the moment and wasn’t doing a great deal wrong as Luton looked fairly assured until Akpom escaped their attentions to level. Solid enough after the break too, doing just enough to put off Akpom from making it 2-1, but when Town went down 10, they just couldn’t hang on. Photo: George Wood
. Tom Lockyer: 6.5
One of two who were back from a spell out in Qatar as he looked to adapt to the drop in temperature when running out at the Riverside. Got stuck into the task well, as after the break he had a running battle with the Boro forwards, words exchanged by both parties. Should have put the Hatters 2-1 ahead just after the break, volleying wide when completely unmarked, as Crooks showed him how it was done in stoppage time. Photo: Liam Smith
. Amari’i Bell: 4
Running battle with Jones which he ultimately came out on the wrong side of late on. Lucky to escape an early booking for a foul as eventually saw yellow in the first half. Imperative he stayed out of trouble afterwards, but couldn’t help needlessly trip his opponent once more and was shown a red that was always coming his way. Wrong side of Akpom for the forward to level too. Photo: Liam Smith
9. Jordan Clark (STAR MAN): 7
Midfielder brought the game to life with a cracking goal just after the half hour, nutmegging Howson and then waltzing past Hackney to rifle a wonderful effort beyond Steffen and into the bottom corner. Didn’t get too many other opportunities afterwards to replicate such an excellent strike but Edwards will be hoping to see more of the same from his former Barnsley team-mate. Photo: Liam Smith
10. Carlton Morris: 5.5
Forward had a few moments when holding the ball up in the first half and trying to get at the hosts’ defence, but the end product was usually wasteful and didn’t have any actual sights of goal himself. Alert to the quick free-kick from Clark but with Luton struggling as an attacking threat after the break, he eventually made way for Jerome. Photo: Liam Smith
11. Elijah Adebayo: 5
Found it tough going throughout the afternoon as he was well shackled by the Middlesbrough defence. The odd burst forward usually ended with a poor touch or being crowded out by Town's opponents, while he was quickly closed down which meant the Hatters were never full able to build their attacks. Off just before Bell's dismissal for Cornick. Photo: Liam Smith
12. Harry Cornick (SUB): 5.5
Any impact he would have wanted to make was quickly nipped in the bud by Town going down to 10 men with Bell sent off. Almost got away once on the right hand side, but Boro’s defence were able to keep up with him and negate the potential danger. Photo: Liam Smith