Hatters winger David Moss ‘hated every minute’ of Luton’s last-day decider at Maine Road

Former Hatter David Moss admitted he ‘hated every minute’ of Luton’s magnificent escapology act at Maine Road, Manchester which took place 37 years ago today.

Then, Town, who were in the bottom three of the old Division One, headed to hosts Manchester City for a do-or-die last day encounter.

Luton’s brief was simple, they had to win to stay up.

For City, however, it was a little different, as a draw would be enough to remain in the top flight.

What happened next was 90 minutes of nerves and tension for the 42,843 supporters inside the famous old ground, before one of the most memorable moments in the Hatters' and footballing history with just four to go.

Brian Stein, so often the scorer of crucial strikes, was the instigator on this occasion, sending over a high cross that wasn’t properly dealt with by City keeper Alex Williams.

His punch fell to substitute Raddy Antic, who from the edge of the box, let fly with his right foot, beating the prostrate Williams and covering defenders to see his shot nestle in the bottom corner, stunning the home supporters.

David Pleat’s men then kept out their opponents out for the final stages, ensuring it was they who stayed up and City who were relegated to Division Two.

Although he wasn’t playing due to injury, Moss had the perfect seat to view the proceedings, but didn’t enjoy it one single bit.

Describing the day to the Luton News, he said: “Horrible, awful, I hated every minute.

“I hated every time they put the ball in our penalty box, but the longer it went, 0-0, in a game like that, of that importance and away from home, we played very well.

“We didn’t just scrape the game and hang on, we played good football, as David Pleat always preached.

“We played attacking football and we actually deserved to win.

“So it wasn’t just a backs to the wall type of performances, but as a spectator watching it I hated every minute of it, just nervous, terrible.”

When Antic, who sadly passed away at the age of 71 last month, hit his effort, time seemed to stand still, before it found the back of the City net.

On what he was feeling at that particular moment, Moss continued: “‘Just blow the whistle please blow the whistle now,’ it was quite incredible.

“There was quite an intimidating atmosphere at the time and it wasn’t the best because it sent Man City down.

“Around us, where there were three or four of us who travelled with the team but were not playing, it was a bit hairy for a few minutes there.

“So we were glad to get into the dressing room and celebrate with the players.”

Events after were made famous too by Pleat’s skip across the pitch to celebrate with his players as they ensured top flight football remained at Kenilworth Road for another season.

Moss said of his manager: “He deserved that moment.

“It would have been a big injustice had we gone down, as we were a lot of people’s other favourite team, because of the way we played.

“Even nowadays, people speak to me and say ‘I remember when you won at Man City,’ so this is neutral people, just football people, so it sticks with you, it’s nice.”

Although not involved in the action, Moss had played his part in the season, notching nine goals from 39 appearances, finishing as the third top scorer behind Brian Stein (14) and Paul Walsh (13).

It included a quite wonderful strike in the 3-3 draw at Liverpool which saw Luton use three goalkeepers, lobbing a stranded Bruce Grobbelaar, earning applause from the Anfield faithful.

Moss, who now works for the Reds as academy chief scout, added: “That’s one of my memories that stays with me, to score in front of the Kop, because Liverpool were always my favourite team other than Luton obviously.

“Watching Liverpool win European Cups and League Championships, they were always my other team, so to go to Anfield and score in front of the Kop, it was a dream.

“I was absolutely made up, I’m proud of that one.

“I proved that I could score goals in the First Division.

“I scored against Liverpool and Arsenal and one or two others, but it was more important that the team stayed up, playing the way that we were taught to play."