Cullen pinches a point for Hatters

Skrill Premier: Cambridge United 1 Luton Town 1
Jake HowellsJake Howells
Jake Howells

Substitute Mark Cullen hooked home a dramatic last-minute equaliser as Town claimed a barely deserved 1-1 draw in their top-of-the-table clash at Cambridge United tonight, writes Mark Wood.

The U’s outplayed below-par Hatters throughout and deservedly took the lead through Tom Elliott’s 62nd-minute header as Luton conceded their first goal in 564 minutes of football.

Town hardly created anything on the night, but late sub Cullen was on hand to hook home Paul Benson’s header back across goal in front of Luton’s ecstatic travelling army of supporters.

The draw extended Luton’s record unbeaten league run to 27 games and preserved their 15-point lead at the top of the table with just 11 games left, although the U’s do still have a game in hand.

Town named an unchanged team from the side that drew 0-0 at Salisbury City on Saturday.

The game simmered to get going as Andre Gray and Ryan Donaldson drove well over at each end early on.

Jake Howells was harshly booked on 14 minutes when he caught Kevin Roberts and was shown yellow.

The U’s almost took the lead seconds later when Liam Hughes threaded through Luke Berry and Fraser Franks did superbly to slide in and block out his effort.

Another brilliant Hughes pass was superbly taken on the chest by Ryan Bird on 18 minutes as his rasping drive forced a good full-stretch save from Mark Tyler.

From the resulting corner Tyler could only pat down as Tom Champion scooped well over from close in.

Another corner, this time from Donaldson, saw Champion threaten as a mixture of him and Ronnie Henry took it past the near post.

The home side had another great chance to take the lead on 34 minutes when Scott Griffiths failed to cut out Elliott’s low cross, but Hughes miskicked badly from six yards out.

Berry was then booked for a cynical trip on Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu as he looked to break clear.

Terrible miscommunication at the back for Luton, with everyone leaving the ball to each other, almost let Bird in on 38 minutes, but Griffiths got back to put in a brilliant last-ditch tackle, with U’s baying for a penalty.

After the break, the U’s deservedly took the lead on 62 minutes when Donaldson curved in an excellent cross for Elliott to head home at the far post.

Substitute Cullen had appeals for a penalty turned down when he tussled with Tom Bonner late on.

Town finished stronger though and grabbed a last-minute equaliser when Henry’s cross was headed back across goal and Cullen hooked home from close range in front of Town’s delirious supporters.

Four minutes were added as Town looked more likely to grab an unlikely late winner, but will have been ultimately satisfied with a massively important point against their nearest title rivals.

U’s: Will Norris, Kevin Roberts (C), Greg Taylor, Josh Coulson, Tom Bonner, Ryan Donaldson, Tom Champion, Tom Elliott, Liam Hughes, Luke Berry, Ryan Bird. Substitutes not used: Richard Tait, Mitchell Austin, Delano Sam Yorke, Nathan Arnold, Josh Gillies.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Fraser Franks, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Jake Howells (Matt Robinson 71), Scott Griffiths, Cameron McGeehan, Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray (Mark Cullen 78), Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Andy Parry 80). Substitutes not used: Jon Shaw, Elliot Justham.

Booked: Howells 14; Berry 37; Donaldson 70.

Referee: Kevin Johnson.

Assistant Referees: Paul Johnson and Rob Smith.

Fourth Official: Darren Stobbart.

Attendance: 6,050 (Luton 2,286).

Star Hatter: Scott Griffiths. Defended resolutely all evening when it would have been easy to fade.

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