Luton Town sit outside of the Sky Bet Championship play-off places on goal difference after a 2-1 win over Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Allan Campbell put the Hatters in front, forcing the ball across the line after a goalmouth scramble.
Barnsley would go into the break level, however, after Carlton Morris’ lifted effort.
But the three points would be Luton’s, after Elijah Adebayo’s emphatic penalty restored the lead. The victory sees Town move up to 7th in the league, level on points with West Bromwich Albion in the final play-off spot.
Nathan Jones made two changes from Town’s last league game, with Harry Cornick coming in for his first league start since November. Adebayo also returned to the Hatters’ starting line-up, having missed the last three league fixtures.
The visitors started off brightly and had a sight on goal within 60 seconds. Domingos Quina rounded James Shea, but couldn’t get his shot on target from a tight angle.
After a quiet 20 minutes, Town grew into the game. First, a penalty appeal was waved away by the referee after Adebayo went down in the box. Then, Cornick’s side-foot into the bottom corner was ruled out for offside.
Just before the half hour mark, the Hatters would be in front. James Bree’s corner caused havoc in the Barnsley area, with Campbell the player to force the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble.
The away side would find an equaliser just before half-time. After being played in on goal, Morris lifted the ball over Shea.
Ten minutes into the second half, Town came close to restoring their lead. Amari’i Bell made a surging run into the area, but Cornick could only find the side netting from the cut-back.
Jones looked to his substitutes for inspiration, bringing on Fred Onyedinma for Gabe Osho. Only a minute after his introduction, Onyedinma won a penalty after being fouled by Bradley Collins.
From the resulting spot-kick, there was no doubt from Adebayo. The striker fired into the top corner to put the Hatters back in front, his 13th of the season.
There should’ve been a third for Luton not long after. Cornick won the ball back from a Barnsley defender, and found Adebayo in the area, who was unable to guide the ball goalwards.
Campbell almost added his, and Luton’s third, of the evening. A cross from Onyedinma was deflected to the back post, but the midfielder couldn’t stretch enough to guide his header towards goal.
Peter Kioso was introduced with ten minutes left of play, with Cornick playing 80 minutes on his first start for the club since November.
Town made their third and final switch a few moments later, as Danny Hylton replaced goalscorer Adebayo.
Five minutes were added on, but the away side were unable to find another equaliser, meaning the Hatters sit outside of the play-off places only on goal difference.
Goals:
Town: Campbell (28’), Adebayo (59’)
Barnsley: Morris (44’)
Att: 9,101 (306 away)