And just like that, league football was back.

If you'd forgotten why exactly the Sky Bet Championship has become one of the most loveable, watchable leagues in this country over the summer, it took less than ten minutes to begin curing such an obscure amnesia.

Luton, back in the Championship for the first time in over a decade and in League Two only two years ago, were ready to have a party.

Middlesbrough, though, under new man Jonathan Woodgate, were ready to spoil such an affair and looked good to do so early on with Ashley Fletcher nodding home.

Luton would not wilt under such a setback, however, and instead came out with their teeth on show, probing and winning corners.

Indeed, it wasn't long until the Hatters were level, Sonny Bradley scoring a goal-of-the-season contender - funny how they happen so often on the opening weekend - with a crashing left-foot strike.

1-1, then, and Luton weren't done there, starting to feel at home back in the second tier now.

Middlesbrough under Tony Pulis were often criticised for not killing off games. Under Jonathan Woodgate they'll want to avoid such issues again and, though they were more expansive in this one, defensive matters will want to be looked at here.

After Daniel Ayala spooned over his own bar, Martin Crainie would eventually score on his debut midway through the half for 2-1.

'This Championship lark is easy,' Hatters fans might have allowed themselves to think, but it wasn't long until they were reminded that this is the highest level they've been at for some time.

A mistake deep in their own half allowed Britt Assombalonga to get a shot in and, though record-signing Simon Sluga should have saved for Luton, it squirmed in.

2-2; not a bad way to ring in the new season so far.

Naturally, after a couple of months away from Championship action, we wanted more after the break and the goals threatened to flow early but for James Collins picking up a yellow after bundling the ball home.

It had to settle down at some point in this match, we're only back after pre-season after all, and it did that exactly.

Both sides enjoyed nice passages of play, Dan Potts repeatedly showed there's life after James Justin and Jack Stacey, Callum McManaman looked sharp down the right.

For Boro, young Hayden Coulson down the left showed some nice flashes and energy whilst Lewis Wing looked full of ideas.

All this, though, left us with no more goals - how disappointing.

But, at this level, it doesn't take much for things to change and Luton received another lesson in that as one of Wing's ideas finally paid off.

Picking up the ball inside right, he whipped home from outside of the box for 3-2 to the away side. The lull in the game seemed to have done Boro a real favour.

Indeed, it was a lull that Boro could have done with seeing last, but we’d not waited two months for that, it was time for more drama.

Britt Assombalonga had a chance to kill the game off, but he skied his penalty well over the bar and, this time, it was Luton ready to pounce on a mistake.

Minutes later, and minutes before full-time, the ball fell to James Collins. A player that’s scored goals in League Two, in League One, and now the Championship – a simple finish but one celebrated like it’d secured another title.

Time for one last twist? Unfortunately not, Luton surged forward but Darren Randolph was in inspired form with a strong one-armed save.

And that’s how it finished. 90 or so minutes to stir the footballing senses back into life and remind us all what we’d been missing.

Luton remembered what it was like to be back in the Championship, Middlesbrough remembered what it was like to be a part in open, goal-heavy affair.

Both sides will learn a great deal from this, but let’s not hope too soon if they serve up fayre like this every week.