Luton claw back two-goal deficit to share points with Mansfield

Play-off chasing Luton came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in a pulsating clash at Mansfield.

The Stags started well and after seven minutes Josh Keeley had to make himself big to block Will Evans’ poked finish while Kai Naismith cleared a Ryan Sweeney effort off the line three minutes later.

However, Mansfield eventually broke through in the 21st minute. Stephen McLaughlin chipped a teasing cross to the far post, and although Tyler Roberts’ flicked header hit the bar, Jon Russell was there to steer home from close range.

Russell struck again after 28 minutes as he cut inside from the left from Louis Reed’s pass before drilling low into the bottom left corner.

Luton finally tested Liam Roberts after 36 minutes as he blocked a shot from Shayden Morris, and four minutes later they pulled one back as Kasey Palmer turned home a low Emilio Lawrence cross from the left.

Luton should have been level three minutes before the interval as Liam Roberts made a brilliant reaction save to deny Davy van den Berg six yards out, and then pushed away a Morris shot a minute later.

However, the Hatters equalised in the 50th minute. Morris controlled a high ball well on the right, went past McLaughlin and rifled a low shot in from a tight angle that somehow went through everyone at the near post and into the net.

Four minutes later, Naismith rattled the post from a yard out following a Liam Walsh corner and after 71 minutes Hakeem Odoffin headed against the bar before Roberts saved one-on-one from Palmer as the Stags clung on amid heavy pressure.