BALL WHAT A TONIC FOR SKIPPER TOM

LUTON gave on-them-end Tom Lockyer the perfect festive tonic and sent Newcastle spinning towards crisis.

- Harry PRATT

Rolling back the years, veteran winger Andros Towsend nodded in Ross Barkley's assist midway through the opening period to make it a cracker for the brave Bedfordshire minnows This third victory since their return to the big-time puts Rob Edwards' men within two points of safety.

No wonder the stadium erupted at the end. Hatters boss Edwards choked back tears as he revealed Lockyer messaged him to "stop worrying" before the match.

The club's Welsh skipper is already back at home, recovering and recuperating following last weekend's on-pitch cardiac arrest drama at Bournemouth.

And after yesterday's emotion-fuelled triumph, Edwards said: "We wanted to do it for Tom. He's our inspirational leader and figure.