Defender Matty Pearson admitted he ‘couldn’t have wished for any better’ as fans were back inside Kenilworth Road to witness a 3-1 victory against league leaders Norwich City.
With the gates open for 1,000 supporters, Town put on a show in front of the adoring home crowd to get back to winning ways and moved up to 11th in the Sky Bet Championship.
George Moncur opened the scoring with a superb finish, before Norwich responded from the penalty spot a couple of minutes later. Pearson then stepped up to put the Hatters back ahead and James Collins fired home from 12-yards in the second period to secure all three points.
“Couldn’t have wished for any better really," said Matty. "It's nice to get everyone back, have a bit of normality to it. It was a great night all round really, topped off by a great performance.
“The atmosphere that they created definitely helped. I think if you’re looking at the atmosphere created and the way we played, I think it was a top night - a great night to have them all back.”
It was the first time the centre-back and his teammates have played in-front of a home crowd since February earlier this year and he was pleased they were able to live up to expectation.
“The atmosphere, having them back, especially when we come out, building up to the game, seeing them when we’re warming up. After the warm-up we do a little lap of the pitch and seeing the fans is what we want. It gives us a little bit more hunger inside us to go out there and do what we do.”
The victory also extends a superb record of not losing at home in midweek since early 2018 against Wycombe Wanderers, and the defender explained just how much the players enjoy nights under the lights at the Kenny.
“We all get that feeling, especially on a Tuesday or Wednesday night here. It is great to play in front of, we all love it and especially with the fans back now, it is going to lift us even more.”
The 27-year-old fired home his second goal of the season with a superb header from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross, a player he describes as having fantastic delivery.
“You see it in training. I think his delivery is spot-on, that is what you want as a centre-back. You want to have players like that who can put it on the button and thankfully I’ve got across my man and glanced it in.”
Following Saturday’s defeat against Cardiff City, the players were motivated to put things right and Pearson believes the win against the league leaders puts the team back on the right path.
“I think it puts us back on track. I would like to be a bit higher up the league but we can’t be ultra-critical there, I think it puts us right back on track and puts us in a good frame of mind going into the weekend.”