Steve Howard's late header gave Luton a vital point in their quest for automatic promotion this season in a 2-2 draw with Oldham.

The Luton striker towered above a packed Oldham defence to head home Kevin Nicholls cross in the second of three minutes of stoppage time.

The Hatters had looked to be slipping to their second consecutive away defeat after Chris Killen and Luke Beckett had put Oldham into the lead following an early strike from Paul Underwood.

However, Howard's 19^th goal of the season means Luton will go into their Good Friday clash with Barnsley one point ahead of nearest title-challenges Hull City, who thrashed Bournemouth.

Chris Coyne was welcomed back into their starting line-up after the Australian defender passed a late fitness test prior to kick-off.

It meant Russell Perrett dropped to the bench with Kevin Foley also making a reappearance to the starting line-up after being placed amongst the substitutes during the clubs most recent win against Swindon.

Oldham made a host of changes to their team with Ronnie Moore's squad looking to bounce back to winning ways following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Brentford in midweek.

The home-side went into this encounter having only picked up one win in their last 12 games, which has seen the club dragged deep into a relegation battle with a host of other clubs.

In a bid to bolster his squad, Moore gave Beckett his Oldham debut after he was signed on-loan from Sheffield United on Friday evening. There was also a change of goalkeeper as Steve Mildenhall replaced Les Pogliacomi inbetween the sticks.

Jermaine Johnson, who was resigned by Oldham during the week after being released by former boss Brian Talbot, was placed amongst the substitutes whilst Gareth Owen, another former Latics player, was signed up on-loan from Stoke and given a starting role.

Luton made the perfect start to the match when they broke the deadlock after five minutes, with the games first real opening.

Foley's delightful cross from the right flank caused problems in the Oldham defence and as the ball fell kindly into the path of midfielder Peter Holmes, the Luton midfielder teed up Underwood who lobbed a shot over a stranded Mildenhall and into the net.

The visitors maintained their early pressure without creating many openings as Oldham struggled to get out of the starting blocks showing immediate signs as to why they were struggling at the wrong end of the League One table.

Marlon Beresford came to Luton's rescue on 14 minutes when he made a breathtaking save to prevent Beckett from notching a debut goal. The on-loan striker found an opening behind Luton's defence but despite a fierce shot, Beresford managed to palm the ball around a post and into safety.

After 15 mins: Oldham 0 v 1 Luton

Neither side could take control of a scrappy game as the Oldham faithful began to vent their frustrations at some inconsistent decisions by match referee Chris Webster.

However, Luton continued to go about their business of trying to stretch their lead further and they nearly made a second breakthrough on 22 minutes but Holmes was denied a shooting opportunity after he was adjudged to have handled inside the Oldham penalty area.

After 30 mins: Oldham 0 v 1 Luton

After a long delay in play due to a change of referee, Oldham, who had struggled throughout the game to create many chances, brought themselves back on level terms through Chris Killen on 39 minutes.

The Oldham striker displayed great pace to run clear of Luton's defence and after getting himself into the perfect position, he coolly fired home past Beresford into the corner of the net for his 12^th goal of the season.

Luton had few chances to restore their lead before half-time. Steve Howard had a shot blocked two minutes before the interval which may have given Mildenhall some concern and Rowan Vine also had a shot which he fired harmlessly wide of the target.

AT HALF TIME: OLDHAM 1 V 1 LUTON

Oldham came out firing on all cylinders in the second-half and almost made an instant impact when, on 46 minutes, Killen hit a half volley that had Beresford scampering across the face of his goal.

And the home-side were rewarded for their positive start when they took the lead just two minutes later. However, it was a goal from Luton's perspective that was gifted to Oldham on a plate thanks an error from Coyne.

The Luton defender saw his pass back to Beresford fall short, which enabled Beckett to nip in, round the visitors goalkeeper and squeeze a shot from a tight corner into the net.

The home-side began to play some attractive football as Luton remained firmly on the back foot. Luton could have gone further behind on 55 minutes but Neil Kilkenny's free-kick flew just inches over the crossbar.

Sol Davis' run and shot on 59 minutes, which flew straight into the arms of Mildenhall, was the best Luton had to offer in the second-half as the Hatters struggled to get going.

After 60 mins: Oldham 2 v 1 Luton

Luton continued to push bodies forward although chances remained few and far between. Vine had a shot blocked in the six-yard box whilst Howard saw a header comfortably saved by Mildenhall.

The visitors shaved the post on 72 minutes when Underwood sent an in swinging free-kick into the Oldham penalty area which went through a pile of bodies to clip the outside of the woodwork.

After 75 mins: Oldham 2 v 1 Luton

In a bid to salvage something from this game, Hatters boss Mike Newell threw on Enoch Showunmi to freshen the attacking line-up.

As Luton continued to throw bodies forward, Davis struck the side netting on 83 minutes whilst seconds later, Showunmi nearly caught Mildenhall napping with a stunning half-volley from 25-yards.

In the closing stages, Luton had a strong appeal for a penalty turned away when it seemed an Oldham player had handled inside the area.

Luton finished strongly and were reward for their patient football as Howard's towering header from Nicholls' cross sealed a vital point for the visitors.

After 90 mins: Oldham 2 v 2 Luton

Oldham: Midenhall, Holden, Bonner, Stam, Killen, Beckett (Johnson 81), Tierney, Owen, Hughes, Kilkenny (Eyre 73), Eyres

Subs not used: Pogliacomi, Betsy, Hall

Bookings: Stam (31), Kilkenny (31)

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Davis, Coyne, Davies, Nicholls, Underwood (Keane 80), Brkovic, Holmes, Vine (Showunmi 76), Howard.

Subs not used: Seremet, Perrett, Leary,

Bookings: Holmes (25), Davies (53)

Referee: Mr C H Webster

Attendance: 5,809 (770 from Luton)

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Match STATS
	Oldham Athletic	Luton Town
Goal Attempts	13	11
On Target	7	6
Offside	7	3
Corners	4	2
Free kicks	16	20
Yellow cards	2	2
Red cards	0	0
Possession (%)	49	51

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