The Hatters fought back from a goal down to move to within two points of safety in the Championship as goals from Jordan Clark and Thelo Aasgaard earned their first win away from Kenilworth Road since September.

Trailing to Calum Chambers’ goal early in the second half, Clark hit a stupendous equaliser to get the Town quickly on level terms.

Then Aasgaard struck the winner with his first goal in Luton colours 10 minutes from time to move the Hatters closer to Cardiff at the bottom end of the Championship and seal their first victory on the road after taking just one point from their previous 15 matches.

It was no more than the Town deserved on a nervy night for both sides but in which Matt Bloomfield’s side were the better side throughout.

Showing two changes to the side that lost at Burnley on Saturday, with former Bluebird Mark McGuinness and captain Carlton Morris in from the start, the Town gradually worked themselves into the game after an uneventful opening 15 minutes.

Defender Christ Makosso headed a presentable chance over following Isaiah Jones’ right-wing cross before Elijah Adebayo made himself a nuisance for the Cardiff defence moments alter.

Cardiff, who came into the game five points above the Town in the table, had their first chance on 24 minutes but Yousef Salech curled a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

But the Hatters came close to breaking the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark when Liam Walsh’s brilliant low, swerving volley from 20 yards was parried to safety by ex-Hatter Ethan Horvath.

It was goalless at the break and you felt the Town needed to continue in the same vein at the start of the second half to keep up the pressure on the Bluebirds who were showing a lack of confidence in attack.

However, five minutes after the restart the hosts took the lead. McGuinness headed clear the danger from a Cardiff free-kick but the ball fell to Chambers on the edge of the box and his mis-hit strike bounced into the corner of the net.

It was harsh on the Hatters but their reaction to going behind was first class. Morris came close to levelling the score almost immediately, only to shoot at Horvath from eight yards after being found by Adebayo.

But the Town were only behind for seven minutes when they equalised in sensational style. There seemed little else on for Clark when the ball dropped his way 25 yards from goal but after taking the ball on his chest he thumped an unstoppable volley into the top corner past the helpless Horvath.

It was a magical moment and another crucial goal from the midfielder following his winner against Portsmouth earlier this month.

Bloomfield made a triple change shortly before the hour, introducing Zack Nelson, Jacob Brown and Millenic Alli but within 30 seconds of their arrival the home side came close to retaking the lead when home substitute Sivert Mannsverk curled a shot over with a shot from 15 yards.

Alli shot into the side netting as the Town began to find their attacking verve again but Kaminski then needed to be alert to keep out a low drive from Perry Ng on 74 minutes.

However, Kaminski could only look on 79 minutes when Chambers came mighty close to putting the Bluebirds back in front with a stunning volley that rattled the crossbar.

It was a magnificent effort but it would turn out to be a huge turning point as less than a minute later the Town led.

Josh Bowler, on as a substitute just four minutes earlier, saw his shot deflect into the path of Aasgaard and the midfielder made no mistake to drill home his first goal for the club from close range and celebrate his inclusion in the Norway squad for the very first time.

Ahead on their travels for the first time since the sunny days of August, the Town had 10 minutes in the cold South Wales air to hold on to three priceless points.

Kaminski pushed away a back-post header as the hosts pushed for a late leveller before Reece Burke – on as a late change in his first appearance since November – executed a brilliant last-ditch clearance in the second minute of four added.

A big claim from Kaminski relieved the pressure and that would prove to be the final crucial moment as the Hatters celebrated their first win on the road at the 17th attempt in all competitions – and first in 178 days.

The players and staff celebrated with the 400 Hatters fans who had made the trip at the final whistle, and Bloomfield left the pitch with one of the widest smiles of the season.

Nine games to go and we’re back at home against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

We’ll see you then.

Sleep well.

UTT.

Town: Kaminski, Jones, Doughty (sub Alli 57), McGuinness, Makosso, Bell, Clark, Walsh (sub Nelson 58), Aasgaard (sub Burke 87) Morris (sub Bowler 75), Adebayo (sub Brown 59).

Subs not used: Krul, Andersen, Fanne, Nordås.

Attendance: 16,641, with approximately 400 happy Hatters in the away end.