Huddsf’ld 1 – 0 Luton

Jordan Rhodes struck late to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory for Huddersfield and send them to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final at the expense of Luton.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Friday night, it was the Hatters who dominated the majority of proceedings at the John Smith’s Stadium, but failed to make their opportunities tell.

And they would pay for that late on as Rhodes struck with eight minutes to go to seal their spot in the final. They will face Nottingham Forest or Sheffield United – who meet in the second leg of their own tie on Tuesday night – as they continue their bid to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.

For Luton, it is the end of a fantastic campaign that saw them defy all the odds to reach the play-offs in the first place. Their journey will continue in the Championship next season and their 30-year absence from the top flight goes on.

Luton pay for missed chances as Huddersfield strike late

Luton’s away record against the best sides in the league had not been great this season, but they started brilliantly on Monday night and should have taken the lead in the tie on 11 minutes when Kal Naismith and Allan Campbell linked up before the latter found Harry Cornick unmarked in the middle, but he could only shoot straight at Lee Nicholls – when a finish either side would have been a certain goal.

Huddersfield’s only real opening of the half in which they were second best came on 37 minutes, as Harry Toffolo picked up the ball 35 yards from goal and glided past two markers to get into the box. But he could also only shoot right at Matt Ingram.

Toffolo and Ingram then became embroiled again on 75 minutes after the Luton goalkeeper had made two excellent saves, he appeared to clumsily bring down the Huddersfield left-back. The away side screamed for a penalty, but referee Peter Bankes waved their claims away.

But Huddersfield would not be left to rue that moment as Rhodes – who came on as a first-half substitute for the injured Danny Ward – arrived at the far post to slide in and finish from Sorba Thomas’ free-kick and send the Terriers to Wembley.

What’s next?

will head to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final to face Nottingham Forest or Sheffield United at Wembley on Sunday, May 29 – live on Sky Sports Football.