The long wait for an away win is finally over as Matthew Spring scored a dramatic 35-yard free-kick late in the game to seal an amazing victory against Port Vale.

The Hatters midfielder blasted a low free-kick in stoppage time to give Luton their first League away win of the season.

It was Luton's first League away win since April and only their second in 2007.

Luton had made the perfect start when Jaroslaw Fojut struck an early goal with a sweeping half volley, but that was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time through Callum Willock's impressive finish.

But Spring's effort sent over 500 Luton fans joyous as his shot crept into the corner of the net, beyond the reach of Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon.

Luton were forced into three changes as the effect from the 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers soon came to fruition.

Suspended trio Steve Robinson, Chris Coyne and Anthony Grant were all out, meaning their were rare starts for Keith Keane and Drew Talbot, whilst Darren Currie returned to midfield.

There was a surprise to the Port Vale team with top scorer Luke Rodgers not making the starting line-up, instead making up the substitutes.

Luton's changes saw boss Kevin Blackwell revert to a 4-4-2 formation, with Keane a slight surprise playing at full-back.

Only three minutes had passed when Luton made the perfect start to the game by breaking the deadlock.

After referee Rob Shoebridge had adjudged that Jason Talbot had handled, Darren Currie whipped over a free-kick from the right, which Port Vale failed to clear. After the ball bobbled in the penalty area, Fojut wrapped his right boot over the ball and blasted an unstoppable shot beyond the reach of Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon from ten-yards.

Port Vale responded positively with a barrage of pressure on the Hatters goal, with former Peterborough man Willock causing the Luton defence all kinds of problems.

But it took 17 minutes before Vale forced Dean Brill into a save when Danny Whitaker tried to squeeze a shot at the near post of the Luton goalkeeper with a right footed effort.

They came even closer four minutes later when Whitaker's cross from the left eluded everyone inside the Luton penalty area and picked out Danny Glover at the back post. The Vale midfielder fired a first time shot across the face of the goal that was just beyond the reach of Willock, who came steaming in.

Vale were creating the better chances and Brill displayed great handling on 25 minutes when he somehow managed to hold onto a well struck shot from Willock as the striker smashed a first time shot from 25-yards.

The game soon became a midfield tussle with the winding causing plenty of havoc for both teams.

Luton were then denied a second on 42 minutes by Anyon's instinctive save as David Bell's surging run and cross on the right found the head of the unmarked Dave Edwards, who sent his effort straight at the Vale goalkeeper.

It looked as if Luton would take a half-time advantage but in the first minute of stoppage time, a hopeful ball over the top of the Hatters defence released Willock who was sent clear and fired on the half volley to grab an equaliser at the perfect time.

AT HALF TIME: PORT VALE 1 LUTON 1

A forceful downpour greeted the players at the start of the second half, making playing conditions difficult.

But Luton looked to capitalise on the winding going in their favour and when Currie floated over a corner on 49 minutes, Bell's flick on almost resulted in the Hatters restoring their lead as Anyon palmed the ball to safety.

Willock was causing all kinds of problems for Luton as the striker flashed a shot wide on 54 minutes as the Hatters defence were caught napping as a quick Vale free-kick.

The Vale striker then came even closer and should have really grabbed his second of the game two minutes later.

A perfectly weighted pass from Talbot split open the Luton defence and Willock raced in the clear. However, an unfortunate bobble off the Vale Park turf meant Willock was forced into an extra touch, enabling Brill to race out of his goal and bravely save at the striker's feet.

Vale were starting to get on top as Luton were being pinned back in their own half, although the home side were struggling to break down the Hatters defence.

Half chances continued to come for both sides, but the weather conditions were certainly playing their part in ruining the game.

Rodgers, who had been quiet since his introduction, flashed a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar as tensions mounted inside Vale Park.

But with two minutes of stoppage time remaining, Luton grabbed a dramatic winner as Spring drilled a low 35-yard free-kick into the corner of the Vale net.

It was a worthy winner and it gave Luton the perfect way to end 2007 and look ahead to the New Year.

AT FULL TIME: PORT VALE 1 LUTON 2

Port Vale: Anyon, McGregor, J Talbot, Pilkington, Lowe, Rocastle (P Edwards 78), Salmon (Rodgers 63), Hulbert, Glover, Willock, Whitaker

Subs not used: Martin, O'Loughlin, Richards

Bookings:

Luton: Brill, Goodall, Perry, Bell, Currie (McVeigh 88), D Edwards, Currie, Edwards, Talbot (Furlong 86), Andrew, Keane, Spring, Fojut

Subs not used: Hutchison, O'Leary, Emanuel

Bookings: Goodall (27)

Referee: Mr R L Shoebridge

Attendance: 4,224 (579 from Port Vale)