Luton included the division's unknown quantity in Enoch Showunmi. Former Town defender Alan Nielson was amongst the subs.
Town started in their usual non event fashion. Chances were limted to hopeful runs from the stranded Rankin or long range efforts. Darren Barnard was bombing forward to good effect from leftback, his foray's down the flank also left gaps at the back. Fortunatly the Luton right side didn't take advantage of this often enough, although they later exploited it to their advantage.
Rankin's partner up front, Mansaram, was having what can only be described as a nightmare. His touch had long deserted him and his running lacked any direction.
Showunmi was proving a real threat up front with his pace and power. The giant pairing of Showunmi and Steve Howard gave Crane and Armstrong a bona fide physical battle.
On 19 minutes the gap down the left allowed Kevin Nicholls time and space to pick out Howard in the centre. With the defending still a bit poo, Steve Howard fired past Davison to give his side the lead.
Minutes later Iain Anderson was subbed. Ando had struggled to recover from a knock picked up just before the goal. Phil Jevons came on and took his positon on the left of midfield.
Even with the creativity of Jevons in midfield Town failed to create. Coldicott went closest when he fired wide of the goal of another ex-Town player, Morten Hydlgaard.
Hyldgaard was bloody useless when on loan with Town at the end of the 2000/01 season. His awful performances in the reserves and inability to kick in a straight line during the warm-up still haunt me today, honestly they do!
Sadly no-one on the Town team remembered how shit he was and opted not to test him with crosses or pressure his kicking. In fairness only Stuart Campbell and Coldicott were in the Town team then.
Town almost fell two behind when Peter Holmes launched an exocet missile goalwards. Davison flung himself to save, good save as well. However the 'stopper injured his calf in the process. With no replacement on the bench, Davo was forced to battle on. Barnard took the goalkicks and, when possible, Aidan threw the ball out rather than kicked from his hands.
Town came out on fire for the second half and looked a different team. Rankin's pace was used to better effect, the shackles on Jevons were released as he was given freedom to roam and the back four pushed forward to pen back Luton.
Town's equaliser on 55 minutes was just class, pure class. Armstrong played a superb ball out of defence to Jevons on the left wing. With one touch Jevvo skipped past his man, his second he teed up, third touch he curled past Hyldgaard.
Having scored what will no doubt be goal of the season, Jevons ran straight to the bench to Graham Rodger - the man who has refused to start him since taking over as caretaker boss.
Town were on fire and Luton were reeling. Jevons was in the same zone he was in against Oldham on Boxing Day. His every touch was class, defenders just fell beside him. If Marcel Cas was watching, he'd have summed it up with the words 'awesome'.
The major worry now was Davison. The veteran was struggling to walk never mind make saves. Any half decent effort on target would be a goal, why Luton didn't capitalise more I'll never know.
Town took the lead on 69 minutes, Rankin was tackled in the box, somehow referee Carl Boyeson (he of Doncaster/Hamilton/Cas fame) pointed to the spot. Never a penalty and we know how bad it is when decisions go against us.......ah well.
Jevons strode up confidently and slotted past Hyldgaard. Now the question was if Town, with a struggling goalkeeper and now struggling centreback (Crane), could hold out.
Luton failed to really press Town despite throwing more men forward. Crane and Armstrong did a great job in protecting Davison, who by now couldn't even come for crosses.
Stacy Coldicott was taken off on 77 minutes after running himself into the ground, again. Stace is nearing full match fitness and his return has proved just how important a player he is. With no real midfielder on the bench, David Soames replaced Coldicott. Stuart Campbell moved infield with Digger playing on the wide right. With Jevons on the opposite flank Town now had four strikers on the pitch.
Town's hopes of holding out were dashed with ten minutes remaining, Howard turned Armstrong with ease and his low drive beat the stationary Davison with ease.
It has long been the norm for Town to sit back and hold onto what they have, last night was different. With only Daws capable of defensive duties in midfield, Town bombed forward.
As the game entered the final minute of injury time Town were awarded a free-kick a fair distance out. Barnard whipped the ball in and Simon Ford leaped like a salmon to head home.
Luton barely had enough time to kick-off before the final whistle was blown.
A fantastic second half. Not just in terms of Town's performance but the entertainment value was sky high. Luton were unlucky first with the penalty decision but secondly with the cruel timing of the goal. However it's nice to score a late goal rather than concede one.
Man of the Match - Phil Jevons. Who else? Simply brilliant. Great goal, great penalty, great performance and all from the bench. The message is simple - START WITH HIM!