Luton Town 3 - 2 City

Last updated : 23 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Luton's Keith Keane picked a great time to score his first senior goal as his injury time strike gave his side a 3-2 win over Bristol City to keep their flickering play-off hopes alive.

The midfielder shot home with seconds left to play after City keeper Steve Phillips had pulled off a great save from Steve Howard's header.

Bristol started strongly and as early as the first minute Christian Roberts forced a save from Morten Hyldgaard after a flick by full-back Sol Davis.

The Robins were looking threatening down the flanks through wingers Micky Bell and Tony Rougier, who was making his full debut, and gave Davis a torrid time all day.

While Luton were happy to hit hopeful long balls for the pacey Adrian Forbes to chase, Bristol created a number of good chances.

However, it was Luton who opened the scoring through Howard in the 26th minute. The big striker rose to meet Steve Robinson's precise free kick as Phillips flapped at the ball.

Howard could have doubled the lead ten minutes later but his attempted lob was weakly hit and went wide.

The game exploded into life in the second half. Luton scored a second goal through centre-back Emmerson Boyce with Bristol's players furiously claiming that the ball had not crossed the line.

Bristol hit straight back, Roberts finishing emphatically having been played in by skipper Tom Doherty.

With Luton's defence constantly under pressure, an equaliser seemed inevitable and it came in the 90th minute when Danny Coles scrambled in substitute Brian Tinnion's corner.

The visiting fans erupted in celebration but were quickly silenced by Keane's late winner.

Bristol manager Danny Wilson slammed the referee Martin Atkinson for failing to overrule the linesman for the second goal.

"It was impossible for the ball to have crossed the line," Wilson said. "There was nobody in the crowd who thought it was in."