Premier League Luton Town chief executive Gary Sweet recalls 2010 defeat to relegation-threatened Ebbsfleet United after stunning 4-0 home win over Brighton in top flight

A Premier League chief executive has recalled the “horror” of their defeat to Ebbsfleet United just 14 years ago.

Premier League Luton Town have been making headlines in recent weeks for their excellent 4-0 home win over Brighton, an entertaining 4-4 draw at Newcastle and reaching the FA Cup Fifth Round.

But they still remember the journey they’ve made, rising from non-league to Premier League in a decade.

That brought back memories of a 3-2 home defeat to Ebbsfleet United, then managed by Liam Daish, on January 30, 2010 - exactly 14 years later, Luton beat Brighton 4-0.

Luton led through former Fleet striker Liam Hatch before Magno Vieira scored twice in four minutes before half-time.

The home side levelled through Tom Craddock but Moses Ashikodi scored the winner from a Darius Charles knockdown.

It was a win that saw the Fleet climb out of the relegation zone at the time of the then-named Blue Square Premier.

Ebbsfleet were relegated, however, at the end of the season while Luton finished second but lost in the play-offs to York.

But writing in his programme notes at the weekend, Sweet referenced the game as he recalled how far the club have progressed.

He said: “We’ve just experienced a week which began seeing us through to the fifth round of the FA Cup courtesy of an away win at Goodison Park, earning a home tie with the current cup holders, followed by perhaps one of the most electrifying performances here at Kenilworth Road for decades, before finishing with an eight-goal thriller draw at St James’ Park.

“Eight days, three matches, 860 miles, ten goals, seven scorers, four points and a prize cup draw!

“Exactly 14 years before the victory over the Seagulls, any such optimism would barely seem plausible as we watched