Luton fightback earns draw against Millwall

Luke Berry scored a late equaliser for Luton to deny Millwall a victory at Kenilworth Road.

They were gifted an early goal when Luton goalkeeper Ethan Horvath spilled a Zian Flemming shot into his own net, before Tom Bradshaw scored Millwall's second, despite team-mate George Honeyman appearing to be in an offside position before delivering the assist.

But the hosts were determined not to be on the end of a hard-luck story.

They pulled one back through Elijah Adebayo just before the hour, with Berry scoring a dramatic long-range low effort to not only level the scores, but ensure a fifth successive Kenilworth Road draw between the two play-off rivals.

It took just four minutes for Millwall to open the scoring, with Horvath having a moment to forget.

A long ball down the middle was flicked on by Bradshaw, with Flemming sprinting past Luton's backline. The Dutchman's shot had power but looked destined to be kept out by Horvath, only for the Luton keeper to let the shot slip through his grasp, handing the Lions their quickest goal of the season so far.

At the other end, George Long had to be alert to a stinging low angled shot by Jordan Clark as Luton threatened to bring themselves back into the match.

The home fans grew increasingly frustrated, not least towards referee Geoff Eltringham, who waved away appeals for a penalty when Jordan Clark went down under a challenge from Ryan Leonard.

The hosts went close to equalising after 49 minutes, as Clark twisted and turned in the Millwall area and saw his low shot deflected away for a corner. The resulting inswinger caught Long unaware, with the keeper moving forward off his line but having to hastily rush back to push it onto the bar.

Within two minutes, the visitors had doubled their lead.

The closely-marked Bradshaw touched on into the path of Honeyman, who looked offside as he collected the ball before sending a low cross back into the box for Bradshaw to finish at the far post.

Yet Luton were far from done.

They pulled one back in the 58th minute thanks to a well-worked move started by Amari'i Bell's excellent pass to Cody Drameh, whose goal-bound effort was brilliantly pushed onto the bar by Long. As the ball bounced back into play, Adebayo was the quickest to convert from close range.

Luton continued to push for an equaliser and were given their reward in the 87th minute when Berry struck a low shot to beat Long.

It was the one bit of coolness needed - the blue Millwall shirts parting in front of Berry to give him a clear sight of Long's goal, and his well-executed strike giving Luton a well-deserved reward for their toil.

Luton manager Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"The lads were a bit flat in the dressing room but I've said to them to pick their heads up because in the end that's a really good point.

"You give a team like that, who are very well drilled and well structured, a two-goal head start - let's be honest, if someone had offered me a 2-2 draw I would have taken it, we all would have at that moment.

"I'm really proud of the lads, the way they responded and kept trying to do the right things against a really good team. It's what we deserved at the very least."

Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:

"The last goal is a poor goal to concede.

"We've got three centre halves and we should get out to the ball. We end up dropping in and almost hoping the player doesn't score whereas we've got to be a bit more pro-active.

"I can't be too critical because we've defended really well for a long period. I think Luton deserved a point but it was disappointing after being 2-0 up to get a point.

"I'm not too frustrated with the players because they gave everything again."