The Town ended a run of six successive away league defeats but were held to a point by bottom-of-the-table Port Vale.

Nahki Wells’ early goal got the Hatters off to a dream start inside five minutes but the hosts, 10 points adrift of safety at the other end of the table, earned a point when Ben Waine slotted past Josh Keeley just before the half-hour mark.

Both sides had chances to win the game, with Nigel Lonwijk and substitute Ali Al-Hamadi going close for the Town, however, it ended all square to leave the Hatters five points shy of the top six.

It began with Jack Wilshere making five changes to the side that beat Plymouth in the week and one of those, Emilio Lawrence, was instrumental in the goal that led to the Hatters taking an early lead.

Jordan Clark and Joe Johnson combined down the left to send the on-loan winger down the flank and his cross was on a plate for Wells to convert from close range for his second in as many league games.

Ahead, the Town continued to press for an immediate second. Lawrence went for goal himself on 19 minutes but his effort sailed over the bar before the midfielder was involved again three minutes later when his shot was blocked and, amid a goalmouth scramble, Clark’s shot from close range was saved.

It was end to end, however, and the hosts came close to equalising moments later when George Hall’s free-kick from the edge of the box flashed inches wide.

Back came the Hatters and it was almost 2-0 on 28 minutes when Kal Naismith kept George Saville’s free-kick alive at the back-post to cross for Lonwijk. The defender rose brilliantly to nod a header goalwards but Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci produced a fine save to tip the ball over.

And it would prove to be a crucial as, a minute later, the hosts were level. From a long goal-kick downfield the ball eventually broke free for Waine and he slotted a tidy finish low past Keeley.

It was tough to take for the Town but the chances kept coming and Wells nipped past Gauci at the other end once more but despite picking out Jake Richards, the home side were able to clear.

After half-time the Hatters ramped up the pressure in the opening stages but it was the hosts that came mighty close to taking the lead shortly before the hour when former Town loanee Jayden Stockley’s thumping header was turned around the post well by Keeley.

After that fine stop, Wilshere made a double change, introducing Kasey Palmer and Al-Hamadi. Both were not far away from putting the Town back ahead – with Al-Hamadi’s low shot with five minutes left stopped by Gauci.

Keeley then rescued the Town again with a minute to play with an excellent save to prevent home substitute Martin Sherif from curling home a beauty with a minute left on the clock.

Six added minutes were added but neither side could force a winner which helped neither in their respective quests at the top and bottom of the table.

It’s back to Kenilworth Road on Wednesday with Wembley the target. We’ll see you then.

Town: Keeley, Jones (sub Morris 80), Johnson, Naismith, Lonwijk (sub Odoffin 80), Saville, Walsh (sub van den Berg 71), Clark, Richards (sub Palmer 61), Lawrence, Wells (sub Al-Hamadi 61).

Subs not used: Shea, Fox.

Attendance: 7,335, including 1,168 backing the Town.