Luton Town vs Fulham. Sky Bet Championship.
Kenilworth RoadAttendance10,068.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Kenilworth Road
Thursday 26 December 2019 19:46, UK
Bobby Decordova-Reid struck in stoppage time as Fulham three times came from behind to claim a thrilling 3-3 draw at struggling Luton.
Decordova-Reid had already cancelled out Kazenga LuaLua's early goal with his first of the afternoon just nine minutes in.
James Collins then put Luton back in front just before the half hour, a lead that held until Championship top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home with 13 minutes left.
Harry Cornick thought he had won it for the Hatters with six minutes to go, but Decordova-Reid struck four minutes into time added on to leave Luton in the bottom three after a fourth straight defeat.
Graeme Jones' side had not played like a team who had lost nine of their last 11 games, quickly on the front foot as LuaLua punished a mistake from Alfie Mawson after just five minutes.
But the lead last only four minutes as Decordova-Reid timed his run to meet Ivan Cavaleiro's cross and head home.
Luton were back in front when Fulham failed to clear Luke Berry's free-kick into the box and Collins was able to lash home the loose ball.
Collins had the ball in the net again in the 34th minute, but the flag was already up for offside.
Mitrovic lashed narrowly wide in the opening minutes of the second half while Decordova-Reid's 63rd-minute strike was tipped over the bar as Fulham pushed for an equaliser.
It finally came in the 77th minute when Mitrovic met a corner to head home, but parity lasted just seven minutes before Cornick restored Luton's lead.
There was more drama to come, however, and Decordova-Reid's second of the afternoon earned Fulham a point that keeps them level with Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off places.
Luton's Graeme Jones: "We would have got beat six weeks ago - there's enough negatives out there if you want to go searching for them. I was absolutely proud as punch for 97 minutes at our display in every single aspect and we're unfortunate at the end.
"I think we played them nine weeks ago - the gulf is huge, the financial gulf that's there. I think we bridged the gap with effort and quality at times, I would rather take the positives."
Fulham's Scott Parker: "I was a little disappointed with the goals we've conceded. Scoring four goals to win a football match is always going to be difficult. They had three shots on target and scored three goals. We put their goal under a lot of pressure, but their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves.
"We were punished by two sucker punches. I want us to play but also smell and sense the game, and I felt we didn't do that in the first half. Being in the heat of it we're disappointed, but maybe when it all settles we'll be fine."
