A transformed second half performance from Luton almost saw them almost take all three points against Millwall at the New Den.

However a last ditch goal from Marvin Williams, after some indifferent Luton defending, saw Millwall grab their first win in 11 games.

This was another case of Luton not converting their chances after dominating the second half and with Chris Coyne cancelling out a first half strike from Ben May.

Luton had been woefully short of their best in the first half but a resounding second half performance should have, and looked as if, it would have given them something to take home from South East London.

Luton were boosted by the return of skipper Kevin Nicholls and influential centre-back Markus Heikkinen from injury, as Hatters boss Mike Newell had the luxury of naming a near fully fit squad.

Peter Holmes was handed his first start since picking up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Derby County on Boxing Day as Leon Barnett and Dean Morgan dropped to the bench with Sol Davis missing through suspension.

Millwall, who were in desperate need of maximum points to help fight off the threat of relegation, handed a debut to Colin Cameron, who had signed on-loan for the Lions on Friday from Championship rivals Wolves.

An evenly matched opening saw little in the shape of real opportunities. Steve Howard was the only player who could muster a sight of goal when his tame 20-yard effort was safely gathered by Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

Marlon Beresford displayed great agility between the sticks as he denied David Livermore's thunderous free-kick on ten minutes from hitting the back of the net. The 36-year-old then showed quick reactions to help prevent Carl Asaba from following in the rebound, with a little assistance from Coyne.

Livermore's chance was the best opportunity of the game and it fired Luton into action, who came close to breaking the deadlock themselves just three minutes later when Rowan Vine fired over the crossbar from 20-yards.

AFTER 15 MINS: MILLWALL 0 V 0 LUTON

A real dull and scrappy first half was doing little to lift the excitement around the New Den as misplaced passes and a number of wayward shots were beginning to frustrate the crowd.

AFTER 30 MINS: MILLWALL 0 V 0 LUTON

The game sprung into life as the home side took the lead on 33 minutes. It was a goal that was likely to infuriate boss Mike Newell as some slack defending allowed May to strike home.

The Millwall striker, with his back to goal, took a short pass from Asaba on his chest and from ten-yards swivelled to cut back a shot into the corner of the net, and leave his marker, Heikkinen, stranded.

Luton looked off their normal game and showed little promise in front of goal. Vine saw a half-chance go begging whilst Holmes saw his strike bravely blocked by a resilient Millwall defence.

AT HALF-TIME: MILLWALL 1 V 0 LUTON

Newell made no substitutions at the interval but did throw Carlos Edwards forward onto the right side of midfield as Foley dropped back into defence.

And the Hatters made the perfect start to the second half as Coyne smashed home his third goal of the season on 47 minutes. Underwood's deep free-kick was nodded into Coyne's path by Howard who smashed a right-footed shot into the roof of the Millwall net.

Luton were now fully into their stride and Howard could have given his side the lead just moments later but the striker failed to fully connect with a short pass from Vine after the visitors had carved open Millwall's defence with some exquisite passing.

The transformation in Luton's football from the first half was nothing short of amazing as Edwards' surging run and shot down the right flank on 54 minutes brought a key save out of Marshall.

The Millwall goalkeeper had been enjoying a quiet afternoon but the former Ipswich shot-stopper had been forced into a number of key saves within the space of 15 minutes.

AFTER 60 MINS: MILLWALL 1 V 1 LUTON

Luton were coming closer and closer to taking the lead and Ahmet Brkovic almost found his name amongst the scores when his goal bound shot from inside the six-yard penalty took a wicked deflection off a Millwall defender.

Luton should have taken the lead on 71 minutes when a mistake from Alan Dunne allowed Edwards a clear sight of goal but the Trinidad midfielder dragged his shot off target.

AFTER 75 MINS: MILLWALL 1 V 1 LUTON

Millwall were continuing to hang by a thread as Luton bombarded the home-side's penalty area. A pinpoint cross from Edwards should have been turned home by Brkovic, who was presented with a free header from eight yards.

Luton looked as if they would leave Millwall with a share of the spoils but a moment of sloppy defending saw the home side record an important win.

A harmless ball over the top of Luton's defence looked as if the visitors would safely deal it with, but Williams stole in past Coyne and Heikkinen to neatly convert past Beresford from ten yards.

AT FULL TIME: MILLWALL 2 V 1 LUTON

Millwall: Marshall, Lawrence, Elliott, Robinson (Dyer 82), Dunne (Williams 71), Livermore, Cameron (Cogan 71), Whitbread, Craig, May, Asaba

Subs not used: Doyle, Braniff

Bookings: May (45), Robinson (81), Williams (88)

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Heikkinen, Coyne, Edwards, Nicholls, Underwood, Holmes (Showunmi 86), Brkovic (Morgan 86), Howard, Vine (Feeney 73)

Subs not used: Brill, Barnett, Morgan

Bookings: Vine (30)

Referee: Mr Uriah Rennie

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