Luton Town 1-0 Reading: Harry Cornick goal gets Hatters into play-offs

Harry Cornick scored a goal destined for the bloopers archive as Luton secured a Championship play-off place with victory over Reading.

Reading were already safe but suffered a 25th defeat of the season.

Paul Ince’s side finish 21st, four points above the bottom three.

Luton knew victory would secure their place in the top six but had to respond to Monday’s 7-0 humiliation at Fulham.

They did enough after a moment of sheer embarrassment for Reading goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

The Norwegian rolled the ball to the top of his penalty area preparing to clear, totally unaware that Cornick was hiding behind him.

To his horror, the Luton striker sprinted into view, touched the ball into space, swiveled and turned the ball into an empty net with his right boot as the hapless goalkeeper looked on.

Luton should have gone ahead in the opening minutes as Cameron Jerome was sent through on goal, but he could not beat Nyland.

Jerome came close in the second half as he crashed a shot against the bar and James Bree also curled a free-kick just wide.

The insurance goal would not come for Nathan Jones’ side but scores elsewhere ensured a peaceful finale for the home side – with Middlesbrough and Millwall both losing.

Reading came close to an equalizer midway through the second half goal Matt Ingram saved Michael Morrison’s back-post header from Josh Laurent’s cross.