At the end of a pulsating second half that had seen Sunderland come out victorious, the Town players were deservedly applauded off the pitch by their supporters who had urged their heroes along for 90 minutes against the Championship league leaders.

It was a testament to a performance that warranted better on a night that saw the Hatters unfortunate to leave the field defeated after a display which showed similar spice to Saturday’s superb derby day win over Watford.

For the neutral, this was a good one. The Hatters pressed and pushed high up the pitch but just could not find a way past a stubborn Sunderland defence that dealt with almost everything that was thrown their way. At the end, the visitors registered 42 clearances to the Town’s four.

It was a theme throughout that started from the first whistle as the Town began with burning intensity. Clear-cut chances, however, were at a premium.

For all the forward momentum the Hatters could not force visiting goalkeeper Anthony Patterson into a save in a first half that ended when Carlton Morris’ finish – reacting quickest to Daiki Hashioka’s flick-on from an Alfie Doughty corner – was harshly ruled out for offside.

Goalless at the break, three minutes after the restart the Town almost led only for Patterson to throw up a strong hand to brilliantly keep out Elijah Adebayo’s close range header following Jordan Clark’s cross.

On top and looking for the opener, the Hatters then suddenly trailed on 55 minutes. Tahith Chong’s touch fell invitingly at the feet of Chris Rigg who, after holding off three Town defenders, struck a left-foot finish beyond Thomas Kaminski.

However, the Hatters responded well and were level just eight minutes later. Doughty’s free-kick from the right was beautifully volleyed goalwards by Morris at the back post and Adebayo was on hand to nod home from close range. It was the striker’s first goal of the season and his name was sung loudly from the stands by the Town support.

Sadly for the Hatters that noise was muted as Sunderland regained the lead in style three minutes later. Romaine Mundle dashed past two challenges on the left-hand edge of the box before finding the perfect low finish beyond Kaminski.

Up went the decibel level from the Town faithful with their side trailing once more, and on 72 minutes, it was almost 2-2 when Patterson blocked Doughty’s left-foot drive after being teed up by substitute Jacob Brown.

As time ticked down the Hatters continued to push for an equaliser only for half-chances to fall at the feet of man-of-the-match Tom Holmes, Morris and Clark.

In the dying moments and with the Town getting desperate, birthday boy Kaminski went up for the latest of late corners but Sunderland – who had cleared cross after cross after cross all night – dealt with the final one and that was that.

So while the result did not match Saturday’s derby day excitement, there were plenty of positives to take and on to Coventry we go on Saturday.

See you then.

Come on Luton.

Town: Kaminski; Moses, Doughty, McGuinness, Holmes, Hashioka (sub Taylor 90); Clark, Krauß (sub Woodrow 81), Chong (sub Nelson 70); Morris, Adebayo (sub Brown 70).

Subs not used: Krul, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Johnson, Benagr.

Attendance: 11,332, including 1,252 in the away end.