Luton give Tom Lockyer perfect homecoming gift on Kenilworth Road return with two goals inside first three minutes

Tom Lockyer was given the best homecoming gift on his return to Kenilworth Road - with two early goals against Brighton.

It is the first time that the Hatters captain is back at the ground since suffering a cardiac arrest in the abandoned clash against Bournemouth in December.

Lockyer has been vocal in how paramedics saved his life after he collapsed to the floor in front of horrified fans.

And he was given a hero's ovation in front of his adoring supporters in Tuesday night's match.

Both sets of fans rose to their feet to applaud him as he walked around the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Buoyed by the return of their skipper, Luton threatened to run riot in the opening stages as they caught the Seagulls napping twice.

Elijah Adebayo broke the deadlock just 20 seconds into the fixture when his flicked header found its way into the back of the net.

And with just two minutes and 17 seconds on the clock, the hosts doubled their lead to spark wild and jubilant scenes.

This time it was Chiedozie Ogbene with the goal, as he rounded Steele before rolling his effort into an empty net.

In Premier League history, only Leicester in their match against Derby in April 1998 scored twice earlier than Luton have managed against Brighton.

Should Rob Edwards' side manage to hold onto the vital three points, they would get out of the bottom three.

This would see Everton take their place in 18th spot, and would drag 16th-placed Crystal Palace even further into a relegation battle.