Gabe Osho avenged his red card in the reverse fixture with a close range finish and Allan Campbell poked home a second as the game crept into added time with the two decisive moments to write their names into the Luton history books in the first derby fixture at Kenilworth Road in front of supporters since 2006.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – who suffered a knee injury during the match against Sheffield United last month and consequently missed the following two games – was the surprise return for the Hatters, the only change in the starting line-up from the 1-1 draw against Sunderland prior to the international break.
The Hatters were quick to find their feet after the two-week break and took the game to their rivals in-front of a noisy sold-out Kenilworth Road crowd, though chances were few and far between until the 20th minute.
The first effort on goal came after a period of sustained pressure from Rob Edwards’ side and it fell to Campbell, but he was denied by the onrushing Daniel Bachmann who prevented the opener with a superb stop inside the area.
Eight minutes later though, Luton weren’t to be denied as Osho scored his second goal of the season. Cody Drameh was composed and found Mpanzu on the right-hand-side of the penalty area, who played the ball across the 18-yard box towards Osho, who in turn swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Top scorer Carlton Morris had an opportunity to double Town’s advantage minutes before half-time but his left-footed effort from outside the area was beaten away by the Watford keeper.
The away side had a chance shortly into the second period when Jeremy Ngakia headed just past the post and they grew into the contest as they increased the pressure on the Luton defence.
The Hatters, however, regained control after the hour mark and Bachmann once more was on hand to keep the score at one-nil. Alfie Doughty’s cross went through a number of bodies and dropped to Elijah Adebayo in space on the right of the penalty box. With a touch out of his feet, Adebayo aimed low towards the corner but once more the Watford number one was equal to it.
Town’s number 11 went close again with 10 minutes remaining but his shot was held well, before the returning Mpanzu was then denied by a flying Craig Cathcart block with an effort that looked destined to find the back of the net.
To a man, Edwards’ Hatters were relentless from the first minute right through till the end, best displayed by Marvelous Nakamba’s tenacious energy in the closing stages to win possession back and launch an attack.
It was such pressure that led to the second goal as Campbell squeezed the ball into the net from close range in the 90th minute as the Hatters extended their unbeaten run to seven games and moved level on points with third place Middlesbrough ahead of a trip to Millwall on Good Friday.
Luton Town: Horvath; Drameh, Lockyer (C), Osho, Bell, Doughty; Campbell, Nakamba, Mpanzu; Morris (Woodrow 90'), Adebayo.
Subs not used: Shea, Bradley, Berry, Lansbury, Burke, Taylor
Goals: Osho (28’), Campbell (90’)
Watford: Bachmann; Porteous, Cathcart (C), Hoedt (Sarr 65’); Ngakia (Ferreira 65’), Louza, Choudhury, Kone (Asprilla 77’), Sema; Pedro, Davis (Assombalonga 67’).
Subs not used: Hamer, Bacuna, Kabasele.
Yellows: Pedro, Choudhury
Referee: Josh Smith
Attendance: 10,046
