Luton salvaged a point against Brighton in a game that was ruined by the weather as torrential downpours played havoc to the football all afternoon at the Withdean Stadium.

It was a spirited second half fight back from Luton, who had fallen behind in the first half to a header from former Watford striker Gifton Noel-Williams.

Luton upped the tempo in the second half and responded with a goal credited to Steve Robinson, although Brighton's Paul McShane looked to have applied the finishing touch after Warren Feeney's cross into the box.

In truth, the game failed to gain any real tempo as both sides struggled to play any free flowing football. However the point will have warmed the hearts of Luton's travelling contingent who endured the heavy rainfall in the open terraces all afternoon.

Hatters boss Mike Newell made one change to the side which defeated Derby last week as Markus Heikkinen returned to the heart of Luton's defence having recovered from tonsillitis.

Brighton, looking for their first win in eleven games, handed a debut to Noel-Williams having made a loan move to the Withdean Stadium prior to deadline day.

At a rain drenched Withdean, Luton almost made an early breakthrough when Sol Davis' cross from the left was nearly turned home by a Feeney header.

The weather made playing conditions difficult for both sides although Luton looked more promising on the break as Brighton struggled to make a breakthrough.

AFTER 15 MINS: BRIGHTON 0 V 0 LUTON

Brighton had rarely threatened until the made breakthrough on 17 minutes. Some slack Luton defending allowed Adam Hinshelwood to whip over a cross as Williams stole in front of his marker, Chris Coyne, to guide a header past Marlon Beresford.

The home-side upped the tempo and almost doubled their advantage just three minutes later as skipper Guy Butters rose highest to send a header over the crossbar after Alexandre Frutos' pinpoint corner.

Luton had been woefully short of their best football but were almost back on level terms on 27 minutes. Edwards' short pass found an unmarked Underwood, who was given time and space forced Wayne Henderson into a good save.

AFTER 30 MINS: BRIGHTON 1 V 0 LUTON

Brighton finished the first half the stronger side but neither team could find that killer instinct in front of goal as the weather conditions continued to play havoc.

AT HALF-TIME: BRIGHTON 1 V 0 LUTON

Luton began the second half brightly and showed early promise but continued to struggle and test Henderson, who was enjoying a quiet afternoon.

Feeney had a chance to put Luton back on level terms on 51 minutes but the Northern Ireland international suffered a moment of hesitation as the striker was put through on goal and was denied by a brave block from Henderson.

Steve Robinson saw sight of goal on 58 minutes but his 20-yard effort failed to trouble Henderson as the muddy conditions took the fizz out of the shot.

Brighton refused to rest on their one goal lead and almost extended their advantage on 59 minutes when Frutos cracked a first-time drive inches over the Luton crossbar.

AFTER 60 MINS: BRIGHTON 1 V 0 LUTON

Luton were looking more promising on the attack and got themselves back on level terms on 61 minutes. Feeney's surging run into penalty area saw the striker's weak cross palmed by Henderson into the path of McShane, who deflected the ball into his own net, with Robinson in close attendance.

Brighton's need for maximum points was evident and Noel-Williams almost responded with a cracking strike that forced Beresford into a save on 64 minutes.

Dean Hammond tried his luck from distance on 72 minutes as Brighton continued to press forward and his shot through a crowded penalty area rebounded off a post.

AFTER 75 MINS: BRIGHTON 1 V 1 LUTON

The puddles on the Withdean pitch were causing problems for both sides and a spate of lunging tackles and suicide passes were making for some 'comedy' football.

Luton almost grabbed a winner in the final stages of the game as Howard, Feeney and Vine all squandered chances but the visitors couldn't make the second breakthrough.

AT FULL TIME: BRIGHTON 1 V 1 LUTON

Brighton: Henderson, Hinshelwood, Noel-Williams, Hart (Carole 90), Hammond, Carpenter, Butters, Frutos (El-Abd 61), Richards (Gatting 71), McShane, Lynch

Subs not used: Dodd, Chaigneau

Bookings: Kazim-Richards (36)

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Davis, Coyne, Underwood, Edwards (Bell 63), Feeney (Showunmi 75), Robinson, Brkovic (Vine 63), Howard, Heikkinen,

Subs not used: Perrett, Brill

Bookings: Davis (87)

Referee: Paul Armstrong

Attendance: 7,139

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