Holmes hands Hatters win
By Tom Adams. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Luton Town took the opportunity to close the gap on Sheffield United at the top of The Championship with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City.
It is testament to Mike Newell's side's rapid adjustment to life in the division that their sights are currently focused on the summit of the table, and after 12 games, they find themselves in the unlikely position of being just six points behind the leaders.
The Hatters fell behind to an early Michael Ricketts strike, although Dean Morgan and Peter Holmes helped them to deservedly record their third league win in four games.
However, their afternoon started disappointingly as on-loan star Michael Ricketts scored for The Bluebirds when he latched on to a flick-on from strike partner Cameron Jerome and beat Marlon Beresford for his third goal in Cardiff colours.
Luton responded in impressive fashion as they took control of the tie and Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney was unlucky just 60 seconds later, as his header found the crossbar.
Feeney and strike partner Steve Howard continued to terrorise Championship defences as they took the game to the home side, and Luton were denied a penalty despite Chris Barker appearing to handle in the box.
Their was a hint of controversy about their leveller on the half hour as well, as winger Morgan appeared offside when he collected Holmes' ball and finished in stylish fashion past Neil Alexander.
Holmes fully capitalised on his rare run-out in the absence of Steve Robinson as he added to his assist with the vital winner on 57 minutes - bundling the ball home from close range after Howard headed across the box.
A frantic finale saw Cardiff hit the woodwork through both Darren Purse and Ricketts, and Luton do the same through Feeney again, but The Hatters held on to continue their sensational season.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Michael Ricketts
Peter Holmes
Dean Morgan
