Luton Town 2 Stockport County 2

Last updated : 17 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Plucky Luton came from behind twice to earn a point against Stockport County, despite only having ten men, as a late goal from Steve Howard ensured that the points were shared in a heated encounter at Kenilworth Road.

Luton had Adrian Forbes sent off after 37 minutes when he squared up to Danny Jackman, while County had manager Sammy McIlroy sent from the dugout late in the game.

The home side started brightly, with Howard proving a handful for the County defence.

Despite Town's good start it was the visitors who took the lead. Simon Lynch scored in the 17th minute after good work from winger Andy Welsh, who used his pace to power down the flank before unselfishly cutting the ball back for Lynch to side-foot home from 12 yards.

Luton responded well and were rewarded in the 32nd minute when County's Danny Griffin turned the ball into his own net to level the scores.

Five minutes later, Town were dealt a blow when Forbes received his marching orders, after reacting to Jackman's late challenge. His head made the slightest of contact as he squared up to the County defender and the referee issued a straight red card.

Still, Luton looked the better side and Howard was unlucky to see his header bounce off the bar after Kevin Foley had floated the ball in from right.

The home side dominated large parts of the second half with Robinson having a second chance to out them in front, but Stockport again took the lead, this time through Fraser McLachlan on 72 minutes.

Jackman played the ball in from the left and it looked as if Luton's captain Chris Coyne would knock it away to safety, but the defender stopped allowing McLachlan to stoop and nod the ball past Marlon Beresford.

Stockport keeper James Spencer was kept busy for the remainder of the game with Enoch Showunmi looking lively.

Then with five minutes left on the clock, there came a twist. Spencer picked up a back pass, giving the Hatters a free-kick only ten yards from the goal-line.

Robinson knocked the ball to Howard, who blasted it through a crowded goalmouth to level the match at 2-2.

Mcllroy was enraged by the decision and made his feelings known, leading the referee to banish him to the stands.