Luton Town delivered a stirring comeback at Kenilworth Road on January 10, 2026, overcoming a sluggish start and a missed penalty to defeat Stevenage 2-1 in a pulsating League One clash. The Hatters, under the guidance of manager Jack Wilshere, showed both resilience and tactical flexibility to notch their first win of the new year, moving tantalizingly close to the playoff places and leapfrogging their opponents in the process.
It was a night that began with no shortage of nerves and drama. Wilshere, keen to shake things up after a disappointing defeat at Exeter on New Year’s Day, made no fewer than seven changes to his starting lineup. The most eye-catching of these was the inclusion of Manchester City loanee Emilio Lawrence, who was handed his Football League debut. Lawrence slotted into a new-look front three alongside Nahki Wells and Gideon Kodua, while Christ Makosso returned to the heart of defense and Lamine Fanne and goalkeeper Josh Keeley were also recalled to the starting XI.
The early stages saw Stevenage threaten to spoil the party for the 11,434 fans in attendance (including a noisy 1,299-strong away contingent). Jamie Reid, the visitors’ top scorer, forced Keeley into a comfortable save just 11 minutes in, and Daniel Phillips’ header was crucially deflected away by Wells as the Hatters struggled to find their rhythm. The nerves in the home crowd were palpable, especially as Luton’s passing was often wayward, gifting Stevenage opportunities to press forward.
Stevenage’s pressure nearly paid off midway through the first half. A dangerous free-kick prompted a desperate save from Keeley, who tipped Jordan Roberts’ close-range effort over the bar in the 24th minute, earning high-fives from teammates and the gratitude of the Kenilworth Road faithful. But just as Luton appeared to be riding their luck, they were handed a golden opportunity to seize the initiative. In the 29th minute, Jordan Clark was bundled over by Phillips in the area, and referee Simon Mather pointed to the spot. Clark, who had scored from the spot against Leyton Orient, took responsibility but saw his low, stuttering effort expertly saved by Stevenage keeper Filip Marschall.
"I’m glad that the players are starting to believe in it now because we’ve got some really big characters in there, some really big personalities," Wilshere said after the game, clearly delighted with his team’s response to adversity. "I said to them after, not many teams will go behind to a team like Stevenage and how they play and how difficult they make it – especially what it felt like with the energy in the stadium – and the players should be proud as they’re the ones who brought everyone up."
The first half ended goalless, but Stevenage came out firing after the break. Jamie Reid spurned a close-range chance that looked suspiciously offside, but moments later, controversy struck. Reid appeared to handle the ball in the build-up, but play continued and Phoenix Patterson’s cross found Lewis Freestone at the back post, who nodded the visitors in front in the 53rd minute. The home crowd erupted in protest, but referee Mather waved away their appeals.
Stevenage boss Alex Revell was left to rue his side’s inability to manage the game after taking the lead. "For an hour we were excellent. First half we gave them nothing at all and we created chances. We should have come in maybe one or two up with the moments that we had and the chances we created," Revell lamented. "You have to see out the first five minutes after you score which we didn’t do and then you give them oxygen. It’s a really poor goal to concede for us in terms of coming here and putting on the performance that they did."
If Stevenage’s opener was controversial, Luton’s response was emphatic. Barely two minutes had passed when Joe Johnson’s deep free-kick caused chaos in the box. The ball fell to Clark, who made up for his earlier miss by swiveling and firing past Marschall to level the scores. The goal, Clark’s seventh of the season, reignited both the team and the crowd. Suddenly, Luton were on the front foot, playing with renewed purpose and energy.
The turnaround was complete in the 64th minute. Kodua, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, came alive after moving centrally. Shayden Morris, introduced at halftime for Fanne, sparked a slick counterattack, carrying the ball forward before finding Wells. The striker’s pass released Kodua, who kept his cool and sidefooted a precise finish into the corner—his ninth goal of the season and seventh in his last 13 games. The stands erupted, sensing a vital three points were within reach.
Wilshere’s men managed the remainder of the match with a composure that has sometimes eluded them this season. Stevenage pushed for an equalizer, launching balls into the box at every opportunity, but Mads Andersen and Makosso stood firm at the back. Substitute Jerry Yates nearly put the game to bed in stoppage time, only to be denied by Marschall’s legs after being played through by Clark.
The final whistle brought relief and jubilation. Luton had secured their third consecutive home win, moved up to seventh in League One, and now sit just a point outside the playoff places. The victory was not just a testament to tactical tweaks or individual brilliance, but to the collective character and belief Wilshere has instilled in his squad. As the manager put it, "When you actually get it over the line against a team that will be difficult to do that against, it gives the players more belief and it gives them more confidence."
Looking ahead, the Hatters will hope to build on this momentum when they host Swindon in the Vertu Trophy. With the playoff race heating up and confidence surging, Kenilworth Road could well become a fortress in the weeks to come. For now, Luton fans can savor a comeback that showcased grit, skill, and a touch of drama—everything you’d want from a night under the lights.