Luton scored a controversial 92nd-minute equaliser to deny Burnley a crucial win in a game of huge significance at the bottom of the Premier League.
Burnley looked set to claim a rare victory after a dogged defensive performance following Switzerland forward Zeki Amdouni’s 36th-minute deflected finish at a raucous Turf Moor.
But Carlton Morris headed the Hatters level in the closing moments.
There was a lengthy check by the video assistant referee (VAR) after Elijah Adebayo appeared to nudge keeper James Trafford as Morris scored.
But the goal was allowed to stand much to the anger of the home fans.
The result leaves Burnley, who have played one more game than the teams around them, in deep trouble, four points from safety.
Luton remain in the relegation zone but are now level on 16 points with 17th-placed Everton.
Jeers rang round Turf Moor when referee Tony Harrington blew for full-time, with home players and supporters upset Luton’s equaliser had been allowed to stand.
The Clarets were moments away from a huge three points that would have breathed new life into their fight to stay up.
Instead Vincent Kompany’s side are second bottom, with three of their next four league games against Manchester City (away), Liverpool (away) and Arsenal (home).
They had been set to be rewarded for a gritty defensive performance with Trafford producing fine stops to keep out Ross Barkley and Chiedozie Ogbene before substitute Morris’ contentious leveller.
Kompany will hope to bring in reinforcements before his side are next in action on 31 January.
Burnley had enough chances to put the game out of Luton’s reach.
Amadouni is now the club’s joint leading scorer in the Premier League this season with four goals, with Burnley reported to be close to adding to their forward line by bringing Chelsea’s Ivory Coast international David Datro Fofana, who was watching from the stands on Friday.
They need all the help they can get to escape from the bottom three.
Luton have developed a habit of scoring late goals in their first season in the Premier League.
They trailed Nottingham Forest 2-0 before securing a point after two goals in the final seven minutes, while the Hatters defeated Crystal Palace with an 83rd-minute winner on 25 November.
Morris’ equaliser is the 12th time they have scored in the 80th minute or later.
Unsurprisingly, Rob Edwards was the happier of the two managers afterwards.
Despite creating 14 attempts, Luton looked set to have nothing to show for their performance after being frustrated by Trafford.
The Burnley keeper had comfortably collected everything Luton had thrown at him late in the game and should have had Alfie Doughty’s cross under control but Adebayo blocked his path.
That left an open goal for Morris to score his fourth of the season – and spark angry scenes around Turf Moor.
