Luton come from behind to see off Stevenage

Luton Town came from behind to beat local rivals Stevenage 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters had seen Jordan Clark miss a first half penalty and they had then fallen behind in the second half to a goal from Lewis Freestone.

But within ten minutes of falling behind, Luton had gone in front thanks to goals from Clark and Gideon Kodua.

Victory saw the Hatters jump above Stevenage in the table. Luton now rise up to 7th in the League One table, with Jack Wilshere’s side one point behind Bolton in the final play-off position after the Trotters lost 3-1 at Peterborough in a later kick-off.

On FA Cup Third Round weekend, Luton’s game was one of the few League One games to go ahead, with the contest seeing two sides just outside the play-off places looking to apply pressure on those in the top six.

Luton’s starting line-up included a start for Emilio Lawrence, coming a day after it was confirmed he would be signing on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the campaign.

Stevenage caused Luton bother in the opening phase, with Dan Phillips having an effort blocked at close range and Jordan Roberts denied by a fingertip save by Josh Keeley.

In the 29th minute, Luton were presented with a big chance to take the lead as the referee gave the Hatters a penalty after deeming Phillips fouled Clark. But from 12 yards, Clark was denied by Stevenage keeper Filip Marschall.

Stevenage opened the scoring in the 53rd minute. Joe Johnson’s header on Phoenix Patterson’s cross ended up landing for Freestone, who beat Keeley to put the visitors ahead. This was of genuine irritation to the home faithful, as there were strong appeals that Phoenix Patterson handled the ball in the build-up, but the officials let the goal stand.

But Luton would equalise just two minutes later. Stevenage failed to deal with Johnson’s free-kick and the ball fell the way of Clark, who dabbed it past Marschall to get his goal.

The Hatters would then make it 2-1 in the 64th minute, as moments after he had been denied by Marschall, Kodua put Luton in front. A through-pass from Nahki Wells released Kodua down the flank, and the latter duly placed his strike into the back of the net.

Luton could’ve had a late third when Marschall denied substitute Jerry Yates, but the Hatters would hold on to add three points to their tally.

The Hatters are next in action on Tuesday when they play Swindon in an EFL Trophy tie, with their next league match seeing them host high-flying Lincoln City next week.