Grimsby Town 3 Luton Town 2

Last updated : 24 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Grimsby turned an exciting match on its head to take all three points in stoppage time with a 3-2 victory against play-off hopefuls Luton Town.

Defender Simon Ford rose to glance in a Darren Barnard free-kick to end Luton's hopes of a point and also their unbeaten run of eight games.

It was an end to end match with Luton deservedly leading on 18 minutes with a well created and well finished goal from striker Steve Howard.

But a 22nd minute substitution that brought striker Phil Jevons into the action following Iain Anderson's injury proved decisive.

Jevons showed tremendous control to take a Craig Armstrong pass first time and bury a superb cross-shot into the bottom corner.

That came on 54 minutes and 14 minutes later he knocked home a penalty which looked harsh from the sideline.

But Luton predictably put Grimsby under some heavy pressure, well aware that keeper Aidan Davison was hobbling badly.

And with 11 minutes left, Howard scored a fine second goal, which even a fully fit Davison would have been struggling to reach.

If Luton thought that was going to earn them a point, Grimsby had other ideas and they scored that dramatic winner to give them breathing space from the bottom four.

It was exciting stuff for Grimsby's lowest crowd of the season and, after a poor first half, Grimsby showed tremendous spirit and no little skill in fighting back.

But for Luton it was bitterly disappointing. With only two wins on their travels this season, this was the sort of match they had to win if they were to maintain their play-off hopes.

Manager Mike Newell was a very disappointed man at the end as a point would not have been a bad result.