Haji Wright's winner came in the 92nd minute
Coventry City produced a classic second-half comeback as they gained a measure of revenge for their Championship play-off final defeat by Luton Town 17 months ago.
In their first meeting since that day at Wembley in May 2023, the under-pressure Mark Robins' side somehow trailed 2-0 at half-time after a controversial penalty opener from Carlton Morris, followed by a well-taken second from Elijah Adebayo.
But City pulled one back from Ellis Simms, substitute Victor Torp levelled with a left-footed stunner and Haji Wright scored an injury-time winner.
To add to Luton's woes, in a game of six cards, the Hatters had Tom Holmes sent off in added time for a shirt pull - his second bookable offence.
After losing in this lunchtime kick-off, draws for Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City in the afternoon fixtures then meant Luton ended the day in the bottom three.
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Coventry could hardly have made a more lively start as Tatushiro Sakamoto, Josh Eccles and Milan Van Ewijk all forced early saves, while Ben Sheaf and Simms fired wide.
Then came the game-changing penalty as Tahith Chong wriggled inside Sakamoto to get inside the area, went theatrically to ground and referee Bobby Madley pointed to the spot.
Morris found the bottom corner for his fourth goal in as many games.
It did not dim the Sky Blues' efforts - and they came close to levelling in one almighty scramble before Luton doubled their lead.
Morris linked with Tom Krauß, whose ball down the inside-left channel was perfect for Adebayo to run on and net his second goal in as many games.
Elijah Adebayo's goal doubled Luton's lead
Despite the overall quality of their first-half display, it still looked a long way back for City at the break - but they quickly showed they still carried as much threat.
Although Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski saved skipper Sheaf's long-range effort, he could do nothing to prevent Simms climbing at the near post to power home half-time substitute Jack Rudoni's in-swinging left-foot right-wing corner.
Eccles then whistled a shot wide before Torp turned 20 yards out to curl in a spectacular effort from outside the box which clipped the inside of the post and went in - his first league goal since signing in January.
Holmes' red card as the clock turned to 90 minutes then spurred the Sky Blues on to go on and win it.
Wright bundled in ahead of Kaminksi on the line for a scrappy winner, having been played onside by Alfie Doughty - to complete only their third league win of the season and send the majority of the 26,409 crowd into pandemonium.
Who's next?
Coventry now face a tough run of three games in which they travel to Middlesbrough next Saturday, play host to Derby County on Wednesday and then head to the north east to face Sunderland the following Saturday.
Luton's next test is at home to West Bromwich Albion next Friday, then another home game with Cardiff City before they too travel to Middlesbrough.
'Just what we deserved' - reaction
Coventry City manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
“Just what we needed and just what we deserved. Right from minute one we were on the front foot against a side who we notoriously find it difficult to play against.
“Their first chance they score, their second chance they score and we’re two down. But we’ve won games from 2-0 down before.
“You’re then looking at whether we had the character to turn it round - and we did, with some real determination and unbelievable quality.
“We scored from our set play, then Victor Torp came on with instructions to shoot more as we don’t think he does it enough. His goal was outstanding. And then Haji Wright won it for us.”
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“It’s on me. I own it. We were 2-0 up and lost 3-2. I know there will be a lot of frustration and questions asked.
“But there’s no-one else to blame but me. The players are giving me everything but we lost the game from a commanding position.
“Coventry were very effective and it was hard to get any foothold in the game.
”Elijah Adebayo got his goal and worked hard. Full credit to him.”
