A second-half penalty cost brave County a share of the spoils against promotion-chasing Luton.

County boss Jim Gannon sprung a surprise by dropping first-choice keeper Matt Glennon ahead of their visit to Kenilworth Road, preferring 17-year-old Ian Ormson between the sticks.

And the young keeper kept the score-sheet blank in the first half, thanks to an incredible save to keep out Jake Howells on the stroke of half-time.

But County were on top for long spells and went close to breaking the deadlock through Aaron Cole, who saw his 25-yard drive whistle just wide of the far post on 33 minutes, with ex-United keeper Kevin Pilkington well beaten.

Left-back Euan Holden went even closer three minutes later when he saw his long-range effort cannon off the crossbar.

But a nervy-looking Luton got a lucky break 18 minutes from time, when the referee awarded a penalty against Joe Connor as the unlucky midfielder caught Adam Watkins in the box.

Town have missed six penalties this season but this time Aaron O’Connor’s spot kick was just out of Ormson’s reach and proved the only goal of the game.

It was Luton’s sixth win in a row but Jim Gannon will take plenty of positives from this performance from the improving Hatters.

COUNTY (4-4-1-1): Ormson 8; Halls 7 O’Donnell 7 Piergianni 7 Holden 7; Cole 7 (DL Rowe 74) Connor 6 Sheridan 6 Rowe 7; Whitehead 6 (Nolan 60); Gritton 9 (Elliott 74). Not used: Glennon, Fraughan.