Woodrow’s last-gasp equaliser gives Luton precious point at Crystal Palace | Premier League

Just when it looked like Luton’s belief had evaporated, along came Cauley Woodrow. The striker’s first Premier League goal since scoring against Crystal Palace almost a decade ago punished Oliver Glasner’s side for their profligacy with a late equaliser to end a run of five defeats in all competitions.

It was some relief for their manager, Rob Edwards, who had watched his team put in a strangely muted performance as they trailed to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s classy finish in the first half. But the hosts, who have now conceded 20 goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season, should have put the game beyond their opponents before Woodrow popped up to head home a cross from the ex-Palace player Andros Townsend with virtually the last action of the game. Suddenly there is hope again.

This wasn’t only notable for being the first time the two clubs had met in the top flight since February 1992: Sunny Singh Gill became the first British South Asian to referee a Premier League fixture and had plenty to keep him occupied in a generally accomplished display. Edwards had promised Luton would continue to go on the attack despite failing to pick up a point since their thrilling 4-4 draw with Newcastle at the start of February.

But with his opposite number also fielding a similarly attacking formation, it was a major error from Alfie Doughty that gifted Palace their opening goal. The Luton wingback did not feel Daniel Muñoz breathing down his neck as he attempted to play a ball back to his goalkeeper and the Colombia international seized on his opportunity, allowing Mateta to execute a clever back-heeled finish that left Thomas Kaminski grasping at thin air.

Issa Kaboré was perhaps fortunate not to receive a sterner punishment than a yellow card after flying into a tackle on Jefferson Lerma, with Joachim Andersen and then Mateta coming close from set pieces to extending Palace’s lead. All Luton had to show for their efforts was a bloody nose for Ross Barkley after he clashed heads with Joel Ward – returning to the pitch with a numberless shirt – and a Jordan Clark volley that sailed over the crossbar.

Mateta was a constant nuisance to Luton’s defence and he should have made Clark pay for a sloppy backpass just before half-time but could only find the side netting. The scores could easily have levelled at the break had Gabriel Osho hit the target from Barkley’s free-kick but a frustrated Edwards looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he headed down the tunnel.

Sadly for the travelling supporters, the Luton manager’s words did not seem to make much difference. Muñoz could have had his first goal for Palace at the start of the second half but messed up his header from Eberechi Eze’s cross when it looked easier to score.

It was the England midfielder’s turn to miss the target next after a brilliant ball from Adam Wharton caught Luton out, only for Eze to blaze over after an immaculate first touch. Glasner led the applause after another brilliant piece of skill from Eze left Osho bamboozled before Chiedozie Ogbene headed a Kaboré cross wide at the other end. Luton began to look more of a threat as Palace tired and Carlton Morris was unlucky to direct a volley from Doughty’s cross straight at Sam Johnstone. Glasner admitted after last week’s loss to Tottenham that one of his first tasks is to fix his side’s poor record of conceding late goals but Mateta and Naouirou Ahamada could have made it a much less nervy finish for Palace. Instead, the substituted fluffed his lines after Kaminski had saved the initial header with his feet.

An outrageous effort from Eze from just inside the Luton half that shaved the crossbar almost sealed the points in spectacular style before Woodrow had the final say.