Hatters beat Foxes thanks to sub Marshall's dramatic injury time winner

Substitute Callum Marshall scored a dramatic injury time winner as Luton won back-to-back games for the first time this season in some style by beating Leicester City 2-1 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters appeared to be on their way to a terrific three points against a side who were playing in the Premier League just two years ago, until the very last minute of normal time, when, having just been reduced to 10 men after John Lundstram was sent off, the visitors equalised through Liam Cullen’s curving strike from just outside the box.

With seven minutes of stoppage time signalled, the third of them saw Town make the most of their extra man. Kal Naismith sliding in substitute Emilio Lawrence whose deflected cross flew into the six yard box, where fellow replacement Marshall was there to prod over the line and send the stadium into absolute raptures, topping one of the best atmospheres seen at the ground in recent times.

Boss Jack Wilshere made just one change to the side that beat Barnsley 2-1 on Tuesday night, that an enforced one as well, Hakeem Odoffin out with a muscle strain, Izzy Jones in at right back. The continued absence of Harrison Ashby due to a groin issue meant there was a recall for Teden Mengi, named in a League One squad for the first time since February when he was on the bench against Burton Albion.

The hosts made a bright start to the contest, almost ahead within three minutes when Kasey Palmer found Jordan Clark, who spun and played in Tudor Mendel, the winger forcing a big save out of Alex McCarthy. Town continued to impress, quickly out of the traps with an excellent opening 10 minutes full of pressing and commitment as the home fans responded in kind, the best noise around heard on home soil in a fair while, as Luton forced a host of corners, one low delivery by Walsh seeing Clark prod goalwards and McCarthy repel.

Having withstood the early storm, Leicester did enjoy some possession and territory, Sammy Braybrooke finding space in the box, Mads Andersen sliding in well to block behind. After a brief lull as City tried to keep the ball, Luton sprung their traps on 20 minutes, Palmer picking up possession on the left, his curling attempt parried behind by McCarthy.

The experienced Foxes stopper made an even stop from the resulting corner that was pulled back to Mendel, his dangerous cross met by Andersen, the defender chesting to Wells, only for the former England international to race out and block away. Leicester gave an example of their attacking talents, with a slick move leading to an excellent save from James Shea, who got down smartly to his right when Kamari Doyle took aim.

City thought they had taken the lead on the half hour when Will Alves’ cross-shot was finger-tipped away by Shea, only to be returned by Doyle, the grounded Emil Riis deflecting the ball over the line. Although the goal was initially given, with Town’s defence pointing out to the officials that the forward was actually behind Shea and with Andersen on the line, it meant he was offside, having discussed the incident with his assistant, referee Martin Woods came to the correct decision to disallow the goal, huge cheers soon emanating from the relieved home supporters.

With a high press always a great ploy against a Russell Martin side, it paid off on 39 minutes when Clark dispossessed Caleb Okoli high up and he looked to his left, playing in Wells, who clinically swept home his eighth of the season. Leicester made a much improved start to the second period as the Hatters couldn’t quite attain the same level they had in the first half, restricted their opponents to efforts from range, Sammy Braybrook volleying their best opportunity wildly over, as did John Lundstram just after the hour mark

With Town struggling to really enjoy any territory, Wilshere brought on Jake Richards for a tiring Mendel, the hosts earning their best opportunity on 66 minutes when they won a free kick and Naismith played one-two before forcing McCarthy into a parry from 25 yards, Palmer’s ball back in headed over by a back-pedalling Wells. Chances were soon popping up at both ends, Liam Walsh almost turning into his own net from when stretching to defend a cross, and from the set-piece, Warren O’Hora got his timing all wrong, nodding behind.

Town were grateful to another fine save from Shea on 78 minutes, demonstrating agile reactions to parry Conor Chaplin’s header away, before Walsh was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty when launching into an unwise overhead kick clearance to the rebound, just about getting the ball before connecting with Will Smallbone. Richards went close on 82 minutes, McCarthy continuing his fine performance by making a good stop, as the teenager showed his improving defensive side too, getting back to make a fine block on Luke Thomas’s fierce drive.

The visitors’ chances of grabbing a point took a huge blow on 85 minutes when Lundstram, who had already been booked, lost his head somewhat, throwing himself into a lunging challenge on the excellent Jones, referee Woods branding a second yellow that saw him sent off. However, Leicester did have their leveller on 90 minutes when Riis escaped the attentions of Town’s centre half pairing to knock the ball down for Cullen who bent a delicious shot around the dive of Shea, appearing to have rescued a point.

Luton didn’t once let their heads drop, Marshall inches away from meeting Jamie Donley’s cross, as they remained on the front foot, and kept their cool too, Naismith playing in substitute Emilio Lawrence, his deflected cross nudged over the line by Marshall to bring the house down at Kenilworth Road.

Hatters: James Shea, Izzy Jones, Kal Naismith ©, Mads Andersen, George Johnston, Liam Walsh, Jordan Clark, Jamie Donley, Tudor Mendel (Jake Richards 64), Kasey Palmer (Emilio Lawrence 85), Nahki Wells (Callum Marshall 76). Subs not used: Josh Keeley, Joe Johnson, Devante Cole, Teden Mengi.

Foxes: Alex McCarthy, Caleb Okoli (Wes Burns 46), John Lundstram ©, Harry Souttar, Warren O’Hora (Bobby De Cordova-Reid 89), Emil Riis, Louis Page (Will Smallbone 46), Kamari Doyle (Liam Cullen 83), Luke Thomas, Sammy Braybrooke (Conor Chaplin 73), Will Alves. Subs not used: Franco Ravizzoli, Ilari Kangasniemi. Booked: Lundstram, Burns. Sent off: Lundstram 85. Referee: Martin Woods. Attendance: 11,693 (1,341 Foxes).