Gideon Kodua’s 96th-minute header earned the Hatters a dramatic late point at Leyton Orient.
The winger struck his fifth goal of the season when nodding home Liam Walsh’s corner deep in injury time to cancel out Theo Archibald’s goal early in the second half for the O’s.
It was no more than the Hatters deserved on a night in which, in truth, saw both sides struggle to create clear-cut chances.
The Town’s second-half revival and indeed Kodua’s goal, owed a lot to the second-half arrival of Jordan Clark.
The midfielder, a 70th-minute substitute on his first appearance since late October, was the difference as the Hatters rallied – and he also came close to scoring when a low shot came back off the post.
Jack Wilshere made eight changes to the side that lost on penalties at Fleetwood on Saturday with former O’s keeper Josh Keeley returning in goal.
A lengthy stoppage following a first-half injury to Orient’s Josh Koroma meant the opening 45 minutes lacked any flow or rhythm as both sides battled for supremacy.
The Town had the best chance of the half in the opening few minutes when Jacob Brown’s cross found Jerry Yates in the box but from close range the striker could not beat Killian Cahill.
But after the break Orient needed just five minutes to take the lead. Kal Naismith was dispossessed by Dom Ballard and he unselfishly squared for Archibald to tap home.
In response, Wilshere reshuffled his pack. Mads Andersen and Shayden Morris were introduced on the hour and Clark swiftly followed.
And it was the returning midfielder who had an almost immediate impact when he took Nigel Lonwijk’s pass to tip-toe into the box and fire a low shot that came back off the post.
Naismith was withdrawn on 77 minutes for Lasse Nordås thrown into the attack, with the departing skipper visibly apologising to the away support for his part in the Orient opener.
But as time ticked down, the Hatters were given another 10 minutes to force a late leveller with the additional time shown by the officials.
The Town upped the ante as the minutes passed. Clark was again at the heart of it and he would play a part in the Hatters’ late show.
His shot from 18 yards was blocked and Liam Walsh’s follow-up volley was deflected behind for a corner.
And with six added minutes on the clock, Walsh’s flag-kick from the left eluded the grasp of keeper Cahill and Kodua was free to nod home from close range to rescue a point.
There was still time for a winner but neither side could force a chance, and it ended all square.
We’re back at home on Saturday when we take on Port Vale at Kenilworth Road. We’ll see you then.
Town: Keeley, Bramall, Kodua, Lonwijk, Mengi, Naismith (sub Nordås 77), Saville (sub Clark 70), Walsh, Fanne (sb Andersen 61), Brown (sub Nelson 89), Yates (sub Morris 61).
Subs not used: Shea, Makosso.
Attendance: 8,176, including 1,246 shouting for the Town.
