Luton led at half-time but were outclassed by West Ham after the break.

Their failure to win an away game since December and a lack of clean sheets ultimately proved their undoing.

However, after getting promoted with one of the smallest budgets in the Championship, Luton defied the odds for most of the season, earning respect and praise for the way they battled to survive.

As Edwards and his players made their way to the tunnel after acknowledging their own fans, they were warmly applauded by West Ham’s supporters.

“That was touching,” said Edwards. “Maybe the fact we have been brave and not stepped off teams changed people’s minds along the way.”

Edwards said that, while he has solely been focused on survival, behind the scenes Luton had a plan in place should the worst happen.

They will benefit from parachute payments next season and, although substantive talks with chief executive Gary Sweet have yet to take place, he is positive about the future.

“This is my third year in management,” Edwards said. “I have won a league title, been sacked, got promoted through the play-offs and now relegation, so it’s not been dull,” he said.

“But this just fuels the fire to get back. We will be in a stronger position to attack it from the last time we were in the Championship.

“Then we got promoted with one of the smallest budgets. That won’t be the case now. We will be one of the stronger teams.”