HATTERS FEEL LOVE-LEE NOW
LUTON boss Nathan Jones says his side had to battle all the way to secure promotion.
The Hatters secured a return to League One after a decade’s absence following their draw at Carlisle United and Exeter’s 2-2 draw with Crawley.
Olly Lee hit the decisive goal after Danny Grainger had put the Cumbrians ahead from the penalty spot.
A delighted Jones said: “We have had to battle every game this season because teams raised their game against us and we have had to do it the hard way.
“With no disrespect to the other teams in this division, Luton Town at home is the biggest game in this league and we have had to keep the standards up.
“It has been a massive effort all season and a lot of hard work from everyone involved.
“This is very deserved – it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t gone up.”
Luton were relegated to League Two in April 2008 and were out of the Football League altogether the following campaign after being deducted a record 30 points for entering administration for the third time in a decade.
The draw ended the faint play-off hopes of Carlisle and raises questions over the future of boss Keith Curle, who will be out of contract in the summer.
“There are no plans for me and the board to talk about my future,” he said.
“I have got a contract until June and I am prepared to honour that.
“It is part of my professional responsibility to make sure I do what is best for the club.
“If it continues, my attitude and professionalism for this job will not change. We will keep up our standards.
“The club had won one game in 22 when I came in. I have put foundations in place now. We are competitive but there is room for improvement.”
Grainger fired the Cumbrians ahead from the spot after James Shea had tripped Richard Bennett.
Danny Hylton wasted a good chance to level on 26 minutes when his first touch let him down after he found space in the box.
Jack Bonham did well to turn away Jack Stacey’s shot on 28 minutes before Jamie Devitt fired just over for the home side minutes later.
James Collins saw a shot deflect just wide after a good build-up with Elliot Lee on 43 minutes, while Bennett missed a good chance for Carlisle on 61 minutes when he failed to connect with his header after pulling away from his marker.
It was a costly miss when Lee tapped home after Hylton’s shot had initially been parried by the keeper on 62 minutes.
Bonham spread himself well to keep out Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu with an excellent save on 79 minutes before Lee failed to put away the rebound.
The Hatters wasted a four on two before Mpanzu hit the crossbar as Luton ended the match strongly.