Luton Town 2 Bristol City 2

Last updated : 19 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Luton Town's top scorer Steve Howard denied promotion-chasing Bristol City maximum points with a brace of headers.

The big striker scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season to give the home side a first minute lead and score a late 82nd minute equaliser. City's Brian Tinnion and Lee Peacock scored in between during an entertaining encounter at Kenilworth Road.

Luton's teenage debutant keeper Robert Beckwith also played an important role in earning his team a point.

Beckwith, thrown into action after a warm-up injury to Mark Ovendale, pulled off fine saves to deny Peacock and the impressive Matthew Hill.

Luton, who were only playing for pride, took a shock lead after just 58 seconds when Howard headed in from close range after Matthew Springs' excellent cross.

Beckwith then made a fine stop to keep out Peacock's low drive at his near post.

The Luton keeper then pulled off an acrobatic fingertip save to keep out Hill's well struck 35-yard volley in the first minute of the second half.

But home midfielder Peter Holmes gifted City a route back into the game on 65 minutes when he grabbed substitute Aaron Brown by the shoulders and conceded a penalty.

Beckwith got a hand to Tinnion's spot kick but could only help the ball into the bottom corner.

City went ahead on 75 minutes when Peacock capitalised on hesitancy between Alan Nielson and Beckwith in dealing with a long punt up field and headed over the advancing 18-year-old keeper.

Howard equalised on 82 minutes when he headed in a deep cross from Emmerson Boyce.

Substitute Peter Beadle then wasted a great opportunity to snatch victory, blasting wide with only Beckwith to beat.

City boss Danny Wilson said afterwards: "It was a bit disappointing not to win after getting our noses in front, but Steve Howard is a real handful for them and it was a hard fought point in the end."