Luton had to make do with a share of the spoils in an entertaining encounter with Tranmere thanks to Kevin Nicholls' eighth goal of the season.

The Luton midfielder struck from the spot on 53 minutes to cancel out a fourth minute goal from Tranmere's Eugene Dadi.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the closing stages but vital saves from both goalkeeper meant the points were shared in a evenly balanced contest.

Hatters boss Mike Newell made one change to his starting line-up from the team that started proceedings in the draw against Colchester United last week. Ahemt Brokvic returned to the starting line-up after recovering from injury, which forced him to miss the game at Layer Road. Paul Underwood missed the game through a hamstring strain meaning Keith Keane kept his place in the starting line-up.

Tranmere Rovers were at near full strength ahead of the game and included the likes of Eugene Dadi, Paul Hall, Ryan Taylor and Iain Hume amongst their starting eleven.

Steve Robinson was the first to carve open an opportunity for the Hatters when within the opening minute the midfielder found time and space in Tranmere's penalty area to fire a low drive straight into the arms of goalkeeper John Achterberg.

The home-side made a positive start and continued to cause some worrying moments for Tranmere as Robinson provided a deep cross from the right flank for Steve Howard to guide a header towards goals.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead on four minutes thanks to Dadi's bravery to tuck the ball past Marlon Beresford in the Hatters goal. The Rovers striker latched onto a cushioned header from Hume to flick the ball past Beresford and open the scoring for the visitors.

Tranmere nearly saw their lead slip in the most bizarre circumstances on nine minutes. Michael Jackson's attempted to cushion a cross only to force Achterberg into tipping the ball over the crossbar.

After 15 mins: Luton 0 Tranmere 1
Despite going a goal down early on, Luton continued to play patient football and Robinson found himself in a scoring position on 18 minutes but couldn't guide a header towards goal after Kevin Nicholls had picked him out with a pinpoint cross from a free-kick.

It was the home-side who continued to carve open the better opportunities. Kevin Foley somehow fired over the crossbar after Achterberg flapped on Brkovic's cross on 22 minutes and then moment later Curtis Davies headed into the arms of Achterberg.

After 30 mins: Luton 0 Tranmere 1

Luton continued to bombard the Tranmere goal and Howard, Davies and Foley all saw shots blocked in a crazy minute spell just after the half-hour mark. With the Tranmere defence trying to clear their lines, Luton were unable to find a way through and Achterberg continued to be busier of the goalkeepers.

Tranmere's attacks were rare but Dadi's aerial ability was continuing to cause some problems for the Hatters as striker displayed great strength on a number of occasions to win the ball in the air.

In a frustrating end to the first-half, Luton couldn't turn their majority of possession into goals as Tranmere's defence held firm to combat the home-sides continuing threat.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 0 TRANMERE 1

Unlike the start to the opening 45 minutes, Luton made a scrappy start but handed a perfect opportunity to bring themselves on level terms when Howard was sent tumbling inside the penalty area by defender Ian Goodison on 52 minutes

Howard displayed pace and strength to shrug off Goodison initial challenge but as the Luton striker ventured forward the referee awarded the Town a spot kick after falling to fall. The spot kick was tucked away by the Nicholls despite Achterberg guessing the correct way.

The game bounced back to life following that goal and Brkovic nearly wormed his way past three Tranmere defenders to threaten the Tranmere goal but the Croatian was adjudged to have handled midway through his mazy run.

Tranmere were dealt a blow on 59 minutes when Goodison was stretchered off the field of play after going into a 50/50 challenge with Rowan Vine.

After 60 mins: Luton 1 Tranmere 1

Tranmere's Gareth Roberts wasted a chance to test Beresford with a free-kick in a promising position as the defender saw his effort go wide of the target.

Luton continued to control large periods of the second-half but Tranmere's defence remained solid as the Hatters struggled to find openings.

After 75 mins: Luton 1 Tranmere 1

Howard headed over the crossbar from close range on 76 minutes as Luton began to push bodies forward in search of a second.

However, it was Tranmere who could have easily taken the lead when Theodore Whitmore struck a low drive from inside the area on 78 minutes to force Beresford into an important save.

Luton also had their opportunities to steal maximum points when, on 85 minutes, Vine guided a header into the arms of Achterberg after Brkovic had created space for himself on the left-flank to deliver a cross.

Despite a frantic finish neither side could grab that winning goal as both goalkeepers were called upon to make important saves.

FULL TIME: LUTON 1 TRANMERE 1

Hatters: Beresford, Foley, Nicholls, Vine, Robinson, Coyne, Brkovic, Howard, Davies, Keane, Davis.

Subs not used: Neilsen, Showumni, Seremet, Holmes, Andrew

Bookings: Coyne (37)

Rovers: Achterberg, Taylor, Roberts, Jackson, Sharps, Hume (Whitmore h/t), Rankine, Hall, Dadi, Goodison (Linwood 60), Harrison.

Subs not used: Howarth, Jennings, Dagnall

Bookings: Sharps (13), Achterberg (34)

Referee: Mr L Probert

Attendance: 8,594 (862 from Tranmere)

Supporter's online Man of the Match: Kevin Nicholls