Boro as Hatters back in top six

No flag went up but Lumley was alert to rush off his line and block the shot and then do enough to stop his follow-up too.

He was needed again from the resulting corner as Jerome rose highest at the back post but Lumley shuffled his feet well and reacted to block the close-range header.

With that momentum-shift off the back of that, Chris Wilder threw on Duncan Watmore to try and stretch Luton and change the course of it.

BORO MANAGE IT WELL IN THE FINAL HALF FOUR

The game went stop-start for about 10 minutes after Watmore’s introduction. Strangely, given it was their time they were wasting, the stoppages were largely from a Luton perspective.

If the aim was to throw Boro off their game it didn’t work, with the home side keeping their composure and concentration.

Just after the 70th minute Boro started to get a footing in the game too and once again showing attacking intent. Jones danced past two on the right before being fouled by a third with some dribbling wizardry.

There was plenty of grit and battle in Boro too. Fry won every header. Howson was everywhere again. Tavernier never stopped running. To a man, they kept battling.

And that was typified by the important second goal with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Watmore refused to give up on what looked like a lost cause over the top. Luton expected he would and that meant he was able to run on to the loose ball.

There was a touch of fortune as he got it back having tried to slip it inside to Josh

Coburn, before he then slipped past his man before finishing low, beating Palmer at his near post.

Boro still had work to do. The stop-start nature of the second half meant there was seven minutes added time.

Luton got one back to make for a nervy finish when Harry Cornick nipped in to score, but it was little more than a consolation.

This was one of those days Boro had to show different qualities. They battled hard and ground out a win. It wasn’t a pretty game, but the better footballing side absolutely won.

WILDER’S FULL-TIME REACTION SAID IT ALL

As the players celebrated with the fans they then headed down the tunnel but Wilder stayed out on the pitch a little longer as he applauded the home fans.

He even got animated as he headed down the tunnel waving his fists in delight.

It emphasised a really big win for his side, and another where the home fans backing the team really helped them along.

It’s getting to stage where every point matters now and Boro grinding out wins like that could be vital.

That passionate response of Wilder at full-time looked as much relief as it was delight. A significant three points for Boro.