Millenic Alli goes into the book for a rather panicked tug back on Kayden Jackson as he tries to break into the Hatters box.

Luton look a little rattled.

The free-kick comes to nothing, however, which will help.

Chris Makosso tries to win a cheap free-kick from Jerry Yates who is jostling him from behind on the touchline, but ref James Linington sees it the other way and penalises the Congolese international.

The free-kick into the box is almost met with an acrobatic attempt from Nat Phillips but he can't get his connection right.

Malcolm Christie
Former Derby striker on BBC Radio Derby

It's funny how football can turn.

Luton looked dominant in that first half, but it has turned completely after the break. Derby are having a strong spell.

Another sight of goal for Jerry Yates amid another scramble in the Hatters box but he can only bounce his strike from the penalty spot straight down the throat of keeper Thomas Kaminski.

Derby well on top, Luton holding on rather...

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Unbelievable, Derby should be on level terms. It was hit by Wilson, the ball bobbles about, and it's cleared off the line by Luton and ended up in the keeper's hands.

When it's not your day, it's not your day, and it certainly hasn't been for Derby so far today.

Image source, Getty Images

Another bump for Thomas Kaminski as Jerry Yates nips in to try and beat him to a bouncing cross from the Derby right.

Not much contact there in truth, but the keeper is down and in need of treatment.

Timing must surely just be coincidental with Derby building a head of steam...

Absolute chaos.

A Luton mis-kick gifts Derby possession in the box but after Jerry Yates sees a rather tame finish beaten away by Thomas Kaminski, Marcus Harness' scuffed follow-up loops past the keeper, only for Mark McGuiness, again, to clear off his line, hacking into the grateful arms of his keeper.

McGuiness has been the difference between Luton leading and being behind today, no doubt about it.

Kai Naismith will be able to continue, but possibly not in his current kit, as it's spattered with blood.

Head wounds always bleed worse, scientists will tell you. Naismith has a tremendous Butcher-esque bandage which will enable him to continue in the action, however.

Derby restart play with a drop ball but can't take advantage as Kane Wilson's touch lets him down near the byeline.

Image source, Getty Images

Frantic stuff.

Jerry Yates' ball to Kane Wilson is weak and the ball is cleared but only to Marcus Harness who sees a scuffed low shot blocked by Mark McGuiness who has been instrumental in both boxes.

Luton manage to clear their lines after another scramble in the box from the corner but play is stopped as Kai Naismith is down on the deck with blood pouring from a wound near his eye after a boot in the face.

The home fans don't like it, but they can't see the damage from where they are.

Naismith will need a spell of treatment here...

Postpublished at 49 mins

49 mins

Derby 0-1 Luton

Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski hits the deck hard as he jumps up to claim a looping ball which had deflected off a defender.

Marcus Harness is underneath him as he comes down with the ball but he was trying to get out of the way and avoids a caution.

Kaminski is made of tough stuff, though and is okay to continue.

After that 15-minute interlude we are back to long throws being hurled into the mixer and some rather frantic defending in the Derby box.

Luton on the front foot since the resumption...

A huge 45 minutes is under way...

Image source, BBC Sport

Half-way there for Luton.

They can't get out of the relegation zone today, but given their three tricky fixtures to finish the campaign, a win here feels like a must if they are going to have any chance of avoiding back-to-back relegations.

As for Derby... something needs to change in the second half.

Hasn't Pride Park delivered quite the start to our day?

But that's just the appetiser, here's what's on the main menu later on this afternoon:

• Blackburn Rovers v Millwall
• Bristol City v Sunderland
• Coventry City v West Bromwich Albion
• Middlesbrough v Plymouth Argyle
• Norwich City v Portsmouth
• Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers
• Stoke City v Sheffield Wednesday
• Swansea City v Hull City
• Watford v Burnley
• Sheffield United v Cardiff City (17:30 BST)
• Oxford United v Leeds United (20:00 BST)

Luke Ashmead
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Image source, Rex Features

Naismith has had a really good game so far.

It was an inspired decision by the manager to play him in that middle, and you can see him playing there until the end of the season if he keeps this up.

Luton are 1-0 up, deservedly so, and Matt Bloomfield will be delighted with that first half.

Rob: The Derby-Luton game is brilliant if you're a Swansea fan because every possible result makes things worse for Cardiff.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Derby were undone by their own defending at the break.

We've had plenty of other chances throughout that first half. John Eustace has a massive half-time team talk to come because they need to up their game by 10 to 15 paces.

Image source, Getty Images

Phew.

We're at the midway point of a game short on quality but packed with endeavour and intrigue.

Luton have been good, Derby have not. Yet. Hard to say the visitors don't deserve the lead given to them by Millenic Alli's angled finish on 10 minutes.

When these sides met in the reverse fixture before Christmas, all the drama was saved for the second half, and injury-time.

Don't tune out even for a moment...

Malcolm Christie
Former Derby striker on BBC Radio Derby

Off the line, it looked like McGuinness, who got the last touch on it, and it was Jerry Yates who had the effort.

Far better ball into the box by Wilson, and it was Yates on the left foot that just couldn't convert.

Pinball in the Derby box after a cross from the right and only a vital last ditch lunge at the ball from Mark McGuinness prevents a deflected Jerry Yates effort from creeping inside the post.