Luton recover from missed penalty and conceding first to beat Stevenage

Luton came roaring back to boost their League One play-off hopes by beating Stevenage 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Jordan Clark responded to having his first-half penalty saved by quickly cancelling out Lewis Freestone’s 53rd-minute opener.

And Gideon Kodua completed the turnaround in the 64th minute to move Jack Wilshere’s side within a point of the top six.

Stevenage went close in the 11th minute when Jamie Reid’s snapshot was gathered by Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley, while Daniel Phillips saw his header deflected away by Nahki Wells.

Clark earned Town a 29th-minute penalty when he was nudged over by Phillips, but his resulting spot-kick was palmed away by visiting keeper Filip Marschall.

Stevenage levelled in the 53rd minute in controversial circumstances.

Referee Simon Mather played on after an apparent handball in the build-up to a move that ended with Phoenix Patterson’s cross being headed home by Freestone.

Luton were level within two minutes, though, when Joe Johnson’s deep free-kick fell for Clark to redeem himself.

And the hosts then began to dominate, with Kodua sidefooting beyond Marschall to settle the contest.