Luton 3-4 Northampton: Holmes thunders the Hatters

Substitute Ricky Holmes scored with virtually his first touch as Northampton beat Luton 4-3 in a topsy-turvy clash at Kenilworth Road.

The visitors had squandered a 3-1 lead, with Luton levelling at 3-3, before Holmes came off the bench to fire into the top corner and send Cobblers top of Sky Bet League Two.

Luton had broken the deadlock after 10 minutes when Paul Benson swivelled in the box to send an overhead volley past keeper Adam Smith.

However, Northampton quickly took control as they equalised on 18 minutes when a superb pre-planned free-kick routine saw John-Joe O'Toole side-foot past Mark Tyler.

The Cobblers then had the lead after 30 minutes as Alfie Potter chested into the path of Lawson D'Ath and, with the Hatters defence dozing, he picked his spot to fire into the net.

Potter should have made it 3-1, blazing badly over, but it mattered little as the visitors did have a third on 42 minutes when more shocking defending saw Richards tap home from a yard out.

The second period was only seven minutes old when Luton made a game of it, as Alex Lawless' deflected cross shot was converted by Benson.

Luton were then level at 3-3 on 66 minutes as Craig Mackail-Smith was clipped in the area and Danny Green converted the penalty.

However, Holmes was introduced on 69 minutes and, after picking up possession, he burst away to fire into the top corner.

This time, Luton could not respond.