LuaLua the hero as Hatters win crucial relegation six-pointer at Hull

A brilliant and absolutely crucial late goal from substitute Kazenga LuaLua saw Luton put Championship safety firmly in their own hands with a truly vital, vital win at fellow relegation rivals Hull City this afternoon.

With five minutes to go, it had looked like the Hatters, who had completely dominated the second period, were going to leave frustrated after creating and missing a number of very presentable chances.

But they finally took one, deservedly so, LuaLua off the bench to fire low past keeper Matt Ingram from 22 yards, sparking scenes of wild celebration in the visiting dug-out.

The Hatters then easily saw out the final five, plus stoppage time, due to some baffling tactics from the equally under-pressure Tigers, who barely threw a punch in anger during that second 45 minutes, not having a shot on target in the entire match.

Town's win saw them climb out of the bottom three, which will become apparent once Wigan Athletic have their 12 points deducted for entering administration, and now means a victory on Wednesday night against Blackburn Rovers will secure second tier football for another term, while even a draw, although tough on the ticker, might be enough.

Boss Nathan Jones had hoped to make one change for the do-or-die encounter, with the fit-again Glen Rea coming back into the side in place of Andrew Shinnie who dropped to the bench.

He was due to be joined by Martin Cranie, but a pre-match injury to Dan Potts saw the defender thrown into the starting line-up, Jacob Butterfield slotting in among the replacements.

City made six alterations after being thumped 8-0 at Wigan on Saturday, and with the Latics conceding a stoppage time equaliser at Charlton before Town kicked off, the visitors knew a win would move them out of revised bottom three at 5pm.

It was the same for the Tigers though, who went into the game on a dreadful run of form, just one win in 18, dropping from play-off hopefuls to possible relegation certainties.

They looked eager to put Tuesday's humiliation behind them early on, with Geoge Honeymnan's dipping free kick needing tipping over by Simon Sluga, Luton's keeper then repelling the Tigers midfielder's dangerous cross that bounced just in front of him.

Kevin Stewart had a pop from 22 yards, Sluga not called into action this time, while Luton finally had an effort of note on 23 minutes, Harry Cornick allowed to turn inside from a throw-in, teeing up Luke Berry whose sidefooted attempt was easy for Matt Ingram.

A poor ending to the stop-start first half did little to suggest that either side were going to to cut the gap significantly to those above them, an unmarked Tom Eaves putting his header from Callum Elder's deep cross off target.

Town finally had a modicum of pressure just before the break, James Bree combining well with James Collins to send over a cross that Cornick just couldn't reach, before Cornick's ball in was cleared up in the air for Berry's header to drop wide.

Knowing that a draw wouldn't do anything for their chances of staying up, Town looked to start the second period with more intent, forcing some early corners.

They were lucky to keep 11 men on the field on 55 minutes though, Collins winning a free kick after being challenged by Angus MacDonald but then reacted to alleged stamp, charging his opponent over, only seeing yellow from official Robert Jones, when others would shown red.

Jones then incurred the wrath of the Luton bench, whistling for a foul on Elliot Lee when Town had men over in attack, the Hatters attacker getting up to curl the set-piece narrowly over from 25 yards.

Town continued to look the more likely, Collins finding Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who fired into the empty stands via a deflection, while another glorious cross from Bree saw Collins just fail to connect with the diving header.

Still Luton pressed, as a Bree corner was met by Sonny Bradley, with Berry acrobatically shooting goalwards and Rea meeting the ball in front of Ingram only to nod over.

Jones freshened it up earlier than he had done against QPR on Tuesday night, throwing Danny Hylton and LuaLua on for Collins and Cornick, giving the pair far more time for a meaningful impact, Mpanzu inches away from the opening on 70 minutes, curling just past the post.

George Moncur swiftly arrived on the scene as Berry tried his luck from distance, Ingram batting away his fierce drive, Hylton also dragging wide on his right foot.

With six minutes left, Town created their best chance, LuaLua showing superb body strength to hold play up and then spring fellow sub Moncur clear, but with men over, he cold only tamely find the gloves of Ingram.

Before Hull, who never once showed any real intent to find a winner, despite a draw no good to them either, Ingram in particular display taking an age on his goal kicks, could thank their lucky stars, Town have the decisive moment with five left.

LuaLua cut inside and from 25 yards out, unleashed a low effort that went beyond the despairing dive of Ingram and into the net, before cartwheeling and backflipping his way over to a jubilant bench.

To their credit, Luton didn't ever sit on their lead, due to the baffling tactics from their hosts, LuaLua doing superbly to twinkle his way through on the byline, finding Moncur, whose shot was charged down.

Still the Hatters went for a second, Hylton, who led the line brilliantly in the closing stages, crashing wide, as Hull had just the one moment of brief alarm, Sluga off his line quickly to gather.

In stoppage time, Peter Kioso came on for his Hatters debut, Cranie suffering a blow to the head, but he was barely called upon, such was the ease at which Town stood firm for a magnificent victory.

Tigers: Matt Ingram, Ryan Tafazolli, Kevin Stewart, Daniel Batty (Keane Lewis-Potter 88), Tom Eaves (James Scott 77), Angus MacDonald, George Honeyman, Callum Elder ©, Josh Magennis, Leonard Da Silva Lopes, Mallik Wilks.

Subs not used: George Long, Jordy de Wijs, Reece Burke, Jon Toral, Elliot Bonds, Martin Samuelsen Callum Jones.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, James Bree, Martin Cranie (Peter Kioso 90), Sonny Bradley (C), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee (George Moncur 78), Harry Cornick (Kazenga LuaLua 70), James Collins (Danny Hylton 70).

Subs not used: James Shea, Jacob Butterfield, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Callum McManaman, Andrew Shinnie.

Booked: Collins 55, Lopes 60, Rea 73.

Referee: Robert Jones.