Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City: Last-minute James Collins penalty earns Hatters important point
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James Collins' 11th league goal of the season ensured Luton's good run continued - they have won three and lost just one of their past five games
A last-minute James Collins penalty saw Luton claim an important point in the fight against the drop as they drew 1-1 with Championship relegation rivals Stoke City.
Stoke got off to a great start as Sam Vokes was on hand to turn in Tommy Smith's deflected shot from close range inside the first 10 minutes in a game which lacked much spark throughout.
Luton did have the ball in the net midway through the second half, but Harry Cornick was offside as he turned the ball in after George Moncur's shot had been parried by Jack Butland.
But, right at the death, Callum McManaman was fouled in the box by James Chester and Collins was on hand to score from the spot.
The result sees Stoke drop to 21st place, two points and one place clear of the relegation places, while Luton are five points from safety at the foot of the table.
Luton did little to deserve their point as they failed to take any momentum from their excellent win over Brentford in midweek into the early part of the game.
Tom Ince almost double Stoke's lead soon after Vokes' opener, but Simon Sluga did well to pull off a great save with his legs, while at the other end Butland had to be at his best to deny Cornick's header.
Luton's crowd grew increasingly frustrated as their lacklustre side struggled to find a way through Stoke, and it was the visitors who had a chance to go further ahead soon after the break, only for Ince to slip as he tried to shoot after beating the offside trap.
Nick Powell blasted a shot wide for Stoke as Michael O'Neill's men seemed to be sapping any life out of the game in the final minutes and earn a vital win, but Chester's careless trip on McManaman allowed the Hatters a lifeline.
Luton Town boss Graeme Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I'm really satisfied to get a point at the end. Three would've been really difficult for us as we try to catch Stoke.
"We haven't let them get any further away from us, so with 10 games to go it's still all to play for.
"I never give in. Not with these lads, they're a very experienced Championship side."
Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Stoke:
"I wouldn't say it's two points thrown away, I think that's a little bit harsh on the lads.
"It's a very soft penalty if a penalty at all. To lose the two points the way we did, it's very disappointing.
"We could have been a lot more clinical, their goalkeeper made some very good saves. We looked a little bit leggy in the second half."