Sheffield Wednesday held by struggling Luton

Michael Smith's equaliser was his seventh goal of the season

Substitute Michael Smith's second goal in as many games salvaged a point for Sheffield Wednesday as they were held at home by struggling Luton Town.

Smith converted a second-half penalty after Djeidi Gassama had been brought down but, despite creating plenty of opportunities, the Owls could not find a winner.

Luton had gone in ahead at the interval after Carlton Morris set up Alfie Doughty for his first goal of the season, a sizzling left-foot drive.

But the Hatters, who are yet to win in the Championship since Matt Bloomfield took over last month, defended resolutely to at least end their horrendous run of 11 consecutive away defeats.

However, they are still without a league victory in nine matches and remain in the drop zone.

Sheffield Wednesday are 10th in the table and two points outside the play-offs.

Despite making the early running, Wednesday's attacks tended to break down in the final third and they could only muster half-chances for Jamal Lowe and Josh Windass during the opening 45 minutes.

Luton began to settle into the contest and Doughty, having supplied a cross that Jacob Brown headed over the bar, then made the most of his own opportunity to give the visitors an unexpected lead.

An attack on the right flank delivered the ball to the feet of Morris, who controlled and laid it off for Doughty to dispatch a 25-yarder that rocketed beyond the helpless James Beadle.

Luton looked comfortable for the remainder of the half, although they needed a timely challenge by Mads Andersen to deny Lowe a sniff of an equaliser after Windass found space to set up the chance.

However, the Owls – who brought on Smith and debutant Stuart Armstrong at the interval – were dominant and Yan Valery, Di'Shon Bernard and Gassama all went close before they eventually drew level.

Gassama's mazy run from the halfway line carried him into Luton's penalty area and, when Lamine Fanne chopped him down, referee Ben Toner gave Smith the opportunity to beat Thomas Kaminski from the spot, which he did.

But the visitors were indebted to Kaminski, who denied Smith again soon afterwards at point-blank range before Windass scooped the rebound over, while Gassama had another two attempts charged down.

Luton made several changes as the game progressed and two of their new signings almost fashioned a winner, with Millenic Alli breaking in from the left to set up Josh Bowler, who dragged the chance wide.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I will not be too critical with the first half because it was exactly what I expect from this game – a team who will fight for every inch and try to bring us down to set-pieces and second balls and it is not easy to play against such a team. For this of course you need a clean sheet.

"I knew we could bring input and accelerate our game, in the first half it was not easy to speed up the game at the right moments. Of course the pitch, at this time of the year, is not easy – it slows you down a little bit and you need two or three touches.

"In the second half we found more spaces and adapted the shape a little bit. The two subs helped us a lot, the second half was much better and I think in the end we deserved to win this game.

"We had 68 per cent possession, even on this pitch. But I cannot blame my team, they tried everything."

Luton manager Matt Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"I can feel the spirit growing, I can feel the confidence growing. But that's only words from me unless we back it up with results. A point away from home always has to be respected and I thought there was some really good individual displays in there.

"First half I thought our shape was fantastic, we limited Sheffield Wednesday to very few opportunities. I think we tired a bit, we've got some boys still working their way back to full fitness, but at any level, you've got to defend for your lives at times.

"I was really pleased that the boys got some reward for their work because they've worked really hard this week, at least they've got a point and it was nice to share that with the supporters at the end.

"It's a stepping stone for us, of course we want to win away from home but it's been a long run and to show that character and togetherness and get a point on the road has got to be a good day for us."