Courageous Hatters battle back from 2-0 down to earn a point against Lincoln

A resurgent Luton showed huge reserves of grit and courage to hit back from 2-0 down and earn a point against promotion-chasing Lincoln City this afternoon in what was an enthralling 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road.

With 22 minutes gone, the Hatters, who had actually been the better of the two teams, found themselves trailing to goals from Freddie Draper and Rob Street, but were level at the break, Gideon Kodua and Nahki Wells on target. An end-to-end and increasingly physical second half saw chances at both ends, with Luton having to dig in against a hugely direct opposing side, defending firmly to extend their unbeaten league run on home soil to eight league games.

The hosts made two changes from last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Stevenage, as captain Kal Naismith replaced Christ Makosso in the centre of defence, with Cohen Bramall in for Lamine Fanne. Jake Richards was back on the bench too, as the Hatters looked to get the ball forward noticeably quicker from the start against a Lincoln side who are in superb form themselves, Jordan Clark, on his 200th appearance finding the unmarked Emilio Lawrence to his right, the youngster slicing waywardly wide.

A clever short free-kick routine saw Joe Johnson find Liam Walsh outside the area who dinked the ball into the box for Kodua, his header just eluding the lurking Wells. Bramall unleashed a terrific rabona cross that was just cleared away, as Kodua’s clever backheel led to a shooting opportunity for Johnson that drew a superb last-ditch sliding challenge.

The bright start was punctured on 11 minutes with a goal of sheer simplicity, Jack Moylan allowed on to his right foot by Lawrence and his cross was headed in by an unmarked Freddie Draper at the back post, Bramall switching off and leaving Johson with two men to mark. Luton didn’t let the early goal get to them though, Kodua, whose move into a more central position is proving a masterstroke, seeing his attempt charged down, as with 17 minutes gone, Lincoln’s time-wasting tactics were already there for all to see, going unpunished as expected by Scott Oldham.

Town kept playing well though, a good move on the left, seeing Walsh brilliantly keep the ball at his feet and find Johnson who instantly sent Bramall away, his deep cross nodded up by Clark for Lawrence to shoot at Wickens. The Manchester City loanee demonstrated his desire to have a crack again, feinting inside his man and set off towards the area once more, having a fierce drive batted away ungainly by Wickens and fall invitingly for Kodua who was racing in at full pelt, but couldn't steady himself, volleying over the bar.

Despite the impressive start, Luton were then 2-0 behind on 22 minutes as they once again failed to deal with the most basic of crosses, a free kick awarded on the right which saw the ball sent into the box and Tom Hamer’s header hitting the fortunate Rob Street, rebounding into the net. Any thoughts that it was game over didn’t show though as the spirited home side continued playing their football and didn’t once withdraw into their shells, gaining a lifeline on 35 minutes.

Winning a corner, Walsh swung a deep ball into the box which saw Kodua rise highest at the back post to power his downward header into the net, a goal that surely Wilshere hadn’t expected his side to score considering the giant nature of Lincoln’s defence. Eager to keep the pumped up crowd with them, the Hatters kept on pushing, Bramall with a shot charged down and then Johnson sadly getting far too much on his cross, as Town’s willingness to attack roared on by their supporters.

In first half stoppage time, the fully deserved equaliser arrived as Naismith brought the ball out from the back and fizzed it into Wells’ feet, the striker turning and letting fly from 25 yards, arrowing into the bottom corner to bag his first league goal from open play this season in some style. After the break, Luton got over their traditional flat five minute start, almost taking the lead for the first time when Johnson found Bramall whose pinpoint cross was headed over by the unmarked Wells.

Koduya then somehow kept hold of the ball when bouncing off about four opponents and find Johnson who again showed his eagerness to shoot, this time seeing it deflect narrowly wide for a corner. Town brought on Shayden Morris for the impressive Lawrence with an hour gone, as the hosts mounted some real pressure, Walsh having a pop from range that called Wickens into action.

With 20 left, Town won a free kick as the crowd hushed, Bramall stepping up, his attempt cannoning against the wall and deflecting inches wide. From the resulting corner, Wickens flapped over under little competition from anyone, as the second set-piece saw Luton have the ball in the net when Mads Andersen bundled home following the Imps keeper throwing himself to the floor, but referee Oldham, another to make a number of strange decisions, disallowed the goal much to the confusion of a number of home players and supporters.

Wilshere replaced the tiring Kodua with Richards late on, as in the final stages, Lincoln take over in terms of an attacking sense as their tactics were there for all to see, hammer the ball forward from pretty much anywhere, try and win it, land on a second ball and then get a shot off. Having picked such an imposing side that included ex-Town captain Sonny Bradley occupying the hosts defence, Town deserve huge credit for being able to withstand the pressure, as Nigel Lonwijk made a number of vital headed clearances in the closing stages, Naismith with a terrific block too.

They needed some late stoppage time heroics from Keeley as well, who was able to arch his back and tip over Ryley Towler’s header as although Luton couldn’t break into the play-offs as Wilshere had tasked them with beforehand, they moved level on points with Huddersfield in sixth after the Terriers lost to Burton Albion.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Mads Andersen, Kal Naismith (C), Joe Johnson, Liam Walsh, Jordan Clark, Gideon Kodua (Jake Richards 77), Cohen Bramall, Emilio Lawrence (Shayden Morris 60), Nahki Wells (Jerry Yates 89). Subs not used: James Shea, Reuell Walters, George Saville, Christ Makosso.

Imps: George Wickens, Tendayi Darikwa (C), Adam Reach, Reeco Hackett (Ryley Towler 89), Jack Moylan (Erik Ring 68), Conor McGrandles, Sonny Bradley, Rob Street, Tom Hamer, Ivan V arfolomieie v (Dominic Jefferies 46), Freddie Draper. Subs not used: Zach Jeacock, Jamie Pardington, Lewis Montsma, Bola Okewoye. Booked: Varfolomieiev 45, McGrandles 47, Bramall 48, Draper 90. Referee: Scott Oldham. Attendance: 11,230 (1,328 Imps).