Luton 3-0 Watford: Rob Edwards’ side secure vital derby win to climb up the Championship table courtesy of goals from Jordan Clark, Carlton Morris and Jacob Brown

Luton’s return to the Championship has not quite gone to plan, but they ended their three-game winless run in the best way possible with this win in the M1 derby.

Luton drew first blood when a Tom Holmes volley from a corner went in off Jordan Clark after 11 minutes. Kenilworth Road erupted.

Luton took control but failed to take their chances. Elijah Adebayo spurned two golden opportunities before the break, including one when Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann passed it straight to him inside the box.

Luton’s second came from a corner with Carlton Morris, unmarked at the back post, supplying a thundering header after 47 minutes.

Both Reece Burke and Tahith Chong went off injured, yet Luton bossed the midfield throughout the second half. Watford tried to go direct, but even then the hosts swept up the danger with ease.

Jordan Clark fired the hosts into the lead following an early corner at Kenilworth Road

Watford tried to force their way back into the game but struggled to capitalise on their chances

Luton deserved a third and it came in the 91st minute through substitute Jacob Brown, who raced clear before finishing past Bachmann.

‘I thought every individual was a seven or eight out of 10,’ Luton manager Rob Edwards said.

‘We made a few mistakes but when we did, we recovered well.

‘This needs to be a turning point. We’ve found ourselves again. But that’s one game, so we have to go again.

Substitute Jacob Brown added a third in stoppage time to seal a vital victory for his side

The result will serve to alleviate some of the pressure on under-fire Luton boss Rob Edwards

For the Watford manager, Tom Cleverley, it is now four away defeats in a row.

‘It looked like a lack of belief, a bit of fear in possession,’ Cleverley said.

‘We’re not asking for scintillating wins away from home, but we’ve got to become harder to beat.’