Two Goal Lead Given Away As Notts Hold Out For Draw

Notts started on the back foot, and within the first 15 minutes Steve Howard had a hat-trick of chances to put Luton ahead, but Stuart Garden made 2 saves and 1 effort was sent over the bar by The Hatters striker.
The first save Garden made from Howard was a superb reflex save, denying the former Northampton forward from close range.

Luton were throwing everything at Notts, and despite a number of balls being put into the box, Notts coped well and Nicky Fenton was giving a superb performance.

On 26 minutes and totally against the run of play, Notts took the lead. Paul Bolland picked up the ball inside the area, and fired a superb right foot shot past Roberts and into the far corner, Bolland's first of the season.

Notts should have doubled the lead soon after, but Irishman Paul Heffernan shot wide when he should have done better. Luton were clearly shocked by Notts upping the antee, and Notts were taking advantage.

Notts doubled the lead bang on half time, when a poor goal kick by Ben Roberts was played forward to Allsopp, and the Aussie hit a left foot shot which took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net.

HALF TIME: LUTON TOWN 0-2 NOTTS COUNTY

Luton had a chance to get a goal back straight into the 2nd half but Simon Ramsden, impressive all game, made a good block.

There was no real chances from either side for a long time after the break, just alot of huffing and puffing in midfield and Notts defending well and coming forward well on the counter attack, with Bolland and Liburd looking impressive.

Surely the turning point of the game occured on 75 minutes, when Ian Baraclough picked up a serious looking injury to his ankle. He was down for around 4 minutes before being stechered off and taken to Luton hospital for an x-ray. Baraclough gave a strong performance in the middle of the park, and was replaced by Michael Brough.

Straight away, Luton earned a corner and from that Russell Perrett headed home as he was left unmarked at the back post, and Luton were back in with a chance.

Allsopp could have extended Notts' lead soon after, but from an acute angle his powerful right foot shot thundered off the post, and the ball flew away to safety.

On 86, Luton got the leveller they were threatening when Howard got the goal he deserved with a towering far post header to sent the home fans crazy. One fan from the home end tried to run on the pitch, but he was caught by police and taken out the ground.

Notts could have been beaten late on, when sub Andy Fotiadis went clear through on goal, but Garden made a superb double save to save Notts' blushes.

FULL TIME: LUTON TOWN 2-2 NOTTS COUNTY