Millenic Alli boosts Hatters survival hopes with massive win over relegation rivals
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Luton Town on Good Friday; Millenic Alli scores to boost survival hopes for Hatters at home of relegation rivals.
Millenic Alli’s early strike handed Luton a lifeline in their battle for Championship survival as they beat fellow strugglers Derby 1-0 at Pride Park.
Matt Bloomfield’s men remain in the relegation zone, but the away win means they are now behind their 21st-placed opponents on goal difference alone with three games to go.
John Eustace’s side recovered from a difficult start to eventually seize control of the contest. But they were unable to fashion the equaliser they probably deserved with Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski making several important saves.
It was no surprise to see Derby and Luton show signs of nerves in what was a game of critical importance to both their seasons.
But Alli gave the visitors a huge confidence boost when, in the 10th minute, he fired past Josh Vickers from close range after Mark McGuinness had guided a corner back across the box.
It was the midfielder’s second goal since leaving Exeter during the January transfer window.
Derby, who had seen Marcus Harness waste a promising opportunity moments after kick-off, quickly suffered another setback.
