Luton's winless run extended as Doncaster draw hands Hatters yet more away day blues

Luton Town extended their winless run to six League One games as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers.

Kasey Palmer scored his first Luton goal to give Jack Wilshere’s side the lead against the struggling side from South Yorkshire, but a first away win since November proved elusive as Brandon Hanlan’s goal secured a point for the hosts.

A draw means Luton now sit 11th in the third tier table, with the Bedfordshire club now 7 points off the play-offs with 10 games of their season still remaining.

The Hatters had arrived seeking a tonic after a late defeat by Reading in their last game, but they nearly fell behind early on as Josh Keeley had to keep out a strike by Glenn Middleton.

Keeley later made another stop to keep out the home side’s former Hatter Matty Pearson, but it would be Luton that wound up breaking the deadlock.

Jordan Clark laid the ball off for Palmer, who was able to run into space before thumping a strike into the back of the Doncaster net for his first goal since joining the Hatters in January.

Pearson headed wide from close range, while after the break, Middleton would again force a save out of Keeley. Luton then missed a chance to extend their lead when Liam Walsh’s firm goalbound strike was kept out by Doncaster keeper Zander Clark.

An equaliser would come Doncaster’s way just before the hour mark, as Hanlan was on hand to receive Owen Bailey’s flick on and place home the finish that brought Rovers level.

Things nearly got worse for the visitors, with Joe Johnson forced to clear the ball off the line after it was poked goalward during a scramble in the Luton box.

Keeley made another good save to keep out Doncaster sub Harry Clifton, with Luton then again having to stop the ball crossing the line in a goalmouth scramble.

The result ended up being honours even in a draw that does little to help Luton’s fading play-off hopes. The Hatters face another difficult test on Saturday as they make the trip to play Wycombe Wanderers.