Two goals in the game’s final manic moments from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu – or Tom Holmes, you decide – and Carlton Morris earned the Town a dramatic comeback victory over Derby at Kenilworth Road.

Just when it seemed the Hatters were about to lose for only the second time in 10 home matches, up stepped two Hatters heroes.

Trailing to Kayden Jackson’s 58th-minute header, the Town needed a wonderful stop from Thomas Kaminski on 74 minutes to prevent the Rams doubling their lead.

But with time almost up, Mpanzu’s volley from the edge of the area deflected off Holmes’ back to bring the Town level with a minute of normal time remaining.

Kenilworth Road then erupted when the Hatters won it in the second minute of stoppage time when Morris’ shot deflected into the top corner to secure all three points in the Town’s final home game before Christmas.

The late drama might not have been necessary had the Hatters led in the sixth minute when Morris’ fine header flew just wide.

But the Town began playing some decent football. Morris was just crowded out on 18 minutes and from the loose ball Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in the Derby goal pawed away Tahith Chong’s drive.

Jacob Brown was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Callum Elder with the goal mercy on 34 minutes and Chong wasn’t a million miles away with a curling cross that bent just the wrong side of the post two minutes later as the Hatters pressed.

Kaminski was called into action for the first time of the night seven minutes after the restart when saving Jackson’s low effort but, on 54 minutes, the Hatters came close to breaking the deadlock when Elijah Adebayo’s towering header from Krauß’s fine cross just missed the target.

But Derby went in front shortly before the hour when Kane Wilson’s deep right-wing cross was met by Jackson who guided a back-post header into the far corner of the net.

The Town responded well to going behind and, on 62 minutes, Zetterstrom produced an incredible save to deny Morris’ superb header following Jordan Clark’s corner.

Two minutes later the Hatters had Kaminski to thank for a stunning save to somehow keep out a low first-time drive from Kenzo Goudmijn. It was prove to be a crucial moment.

Rob Edwards made a triple change with 20 minutes left on the clock with Mpanzu, Cauley Woodrow and Zack Nelson introduced.

But try as the might it looked as though the Town had run out of ideas as Derby’s defence protected the lead.

However, Mpanzu and Holmes had other ideas. A corner was half-cleared to Mpanzu on the edge of the box and he sent the ball back goalwards with intent. The ball took a decisive touch off Holmes before nestling into the back of the net. 1-1.

Level, the decibel level grew. And two minutes into stoppage time the Hatters won it. Derby failed to clear their lines once more with the ball falling at the feet of Adebayo. His shot was pawed away by a fine save from Zetterstrom but only into the path of Morris. He composed himself before taking a touch and fired a shot that took a deflection and flew, unbelievably, into the top corner.

Pandemonium ensued and once the remaining minutes were seen out the Hatters could celebrate a last-gasp victory to maintain their solid home form at Kenilworth Road.

With three points in the bag for Christmas, attention turns to finding points on the road when we head to Bristol City on Boxing Day.

We’ll see you then. Happy Christmas. UTT.

Town: Kaminski, Moses (sub Nelson 69), Chong, Andersen (sub Johnson 86), McGuinness, Holmes, Krauß (sub Mpanzu 69), Clark (sub Taylor 86), Brown (sub Woodrow 69), Morris, Adebayo.

Subs not used: Krul, Nakamba, Pieters, Chigozie.

Attendance: 11,667, including 1,335 in the away end.