Luton boss Jack Wilshere delighted to welcome back Jordan Clark at Leyton Orient

Jack Wilshere was happy to welcome back talisman Jordan Clark as a last-gasp Luton effort earned a 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient.

A stoppage-time equaliser from Gideon Kodua cancelled out what looked like a winner from Theo Archibald.

The game saw Clark return to the squad for the first time since being injured against Northampton on October 25.

Manager Wilshere was pleased he could feature the 32-year old midfielder again.

He said: “We know about Jordan Clark’s ability, we missed him. He got injured at Northampton and I knew we’d suffer without his quality.

“We need to look after him and keep him fit, you can see when he comes on he gives everyone energy.

“It showed character, and I know we’ve got personality. It’s nice to score a set-piece in the end because we need to improve on that.

“The boys in there, they’re disappointed really because they know they’re better than that.

“I said to them at half-time, we’re at 50 to 60 per cent and they’re not hurting us.”

After making eight changes from their FA Cup defeat at Fleetwood, Luton almost went ahead after five minutes but Jerry Yates could not position his body to connect to a Jacob Brown cross.

Orient had to make a change in the 18th minute when Josh Koroma was carried off the pitch on a stretcher, with Archibald replacing him.

The hosts sprung into life four minutes into the second half with the opener as Dom Ballard robbed Kai Naismith and squared for Archibald to slot home with ease.

An effort for Clark after 71 minutes came agonisingly off a post, but Kodua headed Luton levelled in the sixth minute of added time from a corner.

Leyton Orient are still unbeaten at home in Sky Bet League One since the September 27 when they lost to Stevenage.

Archibald made his first home appearance in the league since February 2024 after battling a long-term knee injury, and head coach Richie Wellens was full of praise for the Scot.

“It was excellent by Theo. When you watch him play he does all the things that have been moulded into our team for a number of years,” Wellens said.

“We’ve got players who are still getting used to how we want to play. I’ve seen his dedication, it’s been a long road for him.

“I’m gutted for Josh Koroma because he wanted to get his season up and running, he’s been excellent in training the last few weeks.

“On Friday in the FA Cup we were nowhere near, but I’m delighted with the performance today.

“Is it the way we want to play? No. But we could have scored a few more, so the set-play at the end was a massive disappointment.”