Luton Town 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Berry salvages late point for relegation-threatened Hatters

With the threat of relegation continuing to cast a shadow over Luton Town’s Premier League campaign, the Hatters hosted Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Three points for Rob Edwards’ side could have seen them move out of the relegation zone at the expense of their opponents, dependent on the swing in goal difference.

LUT: Kaminski; Kaboré, Mengi, Burke; Doughty, Barkley, Mpanzu, Ogbene; Chong, Clark; Morris

NFO: Sels; Toffolo, Murillo, Boly, Williams; Sangaré, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Origi; Wood

Luton Town have so often been credited for their resilience this season. Written off by many before a ball was kicked at Kenilworth Road, the Hatters do find themselves in the relegation zone – but by the tightest of margins and perhaps as a consequence of some misfortune.

The hosts started as the brighter of the two sides, and could be considered unlucky not to have taken the lead early on as Ross Barkley saw his strike from distance clip the post.

But little more than thirty minutes had passed on Saturday when Chris Wood dealt the Hatters another crushing blow in their bid to escape the drop zone, with the forward stretching to poke home from a dinked Morgan Gibbs-White delivery.

It had been coming, and despite a bright start from the Hatters, Nottingham Forest had grown into the game – Divock Origi specifically had been unlucky not to open the scoring, with two efforts cleared off the line before his attacking colleague finally found the back of the net.

Teden Mengi thought he had found the all-important leveller just before the break, but as he wheeled away in celebration, Darren England was quick to disallow the goal for a handball in the buildup.

A spirited Luton Town side did not waver though, with Rob Edwards’ side doing well to absorb an unrelenting wave of Nottingham Forest attacks throughout the second half. Their defensive aptitude paid off, for it meant that Luke Berry’s 89th minute effort was enough to restore parity and clinch a valuable point in the race for survival.

Nottingham Forest remain three points ahead of Luton Town in the Premier League table. The Hatters are five points clear of 19th-placed Burnley, but they have a remarkably difficult run-in that will continue after the international break with back-to-back fixtures against Tottenham and Arsenal.