On this day (23rd May) in 1985 the Sky Blues were on another audacious end of season mission to save their top flight status. In twentieth spot in Division One Don Mackay‘s Sky Blues needed a win treble from their last three games to stand a chance of survival. Six days previously at Stoke City a second half Stuart Pearce penalty had begun the attempt well with a 1-0 victory at the Victoria Ground.
Now for the second act! The Sky Blues took on Luton Town in a Thursday night game at Highfield Road in front of 14,834 very nervous fans. They knew the Hatters had beaten us by two clear goals at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day! Revenge would be especially sweet.
The Hatters put up gritty resistance and the sides went in a half-time with no score (‘Oggy’ saving us more than once). A good penalty shout for the Sky Blues was ignored by the referee and nails were being bitten to the quick around the stadium when late in the game, with only six minutes to go, a half clearance from the away side allowed the Sky Blues mountainous centre half Brian Kilcline to volley in a tremendous goal life-line from the edge of the box.
A repeat score line against the Hatters in the Championship play-off Final at Wembley ina few days time would not go amiss!!
Luton Town‘s goalkeeper that day was former Sky Blue shotstopper Les Sealey (who sadly has since passed away).
Two down with one to go – and this was only a game against the champions Everton at Highfield road in three days time! This Sunday game would decide the Sky Blues fate (see later post)!
