Morris dancer

Carlton’s controversial leveller boosts Hatters’ survival bid

Burnley had a priceless win snatched from their grasp in stoppage time after a controversial equaliser for luton.

VAR Peter Bankes allowed a header from Carlton Morris in the 92nd minute to stand, even though Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was blocked by Elijah Adebayo.

Referee Tony Harrington awarded the goal in the 94th minute to the delight of Luton and their fans and the total misery of Burnley.

Luton did not deserve this lifeline but the relegation fight was turned on its head in those final minutes.

Instead of being just two points from Everton and safety, Burnley are now four points away.

They also remain four points behind

Luton, and although their unbeaten run against the Hatters is now eight games, this will feel like a loss. Burnley deserved more from the game afterproducing one of their best displays when they needed it most. By contrast, Luton were poor and will be hugely relieved to escape from Turf Moor with a valuable point.

Luton’s display was summed up by Andros Townsend, who has been in great form but who was hooked just after the hour mark.

Kompany offered Townsend a contract in the summer, only to change his mind because he did not want him blocking the path of his youngsters and players like Wilson Odobert have proved him right.

Kompany’s kids are finally delivering and Odobert is getting better with every game, while Zeki Amdouni was outstanding. His goal last night makes him Burnley’s leading scorer with five.

Striker David Datro Fofana was in the stands ahead of completing his six-month loan to Burnley from Chelsea.

The Ivorian, who has been recalled from Union Berlin, is due to have his medical today.

Burnley need extra firepower and Johann Berg Gudmundsson showed why they have the worst shot conversion rate inside the box in the Premier League. Thomas Kaminski saved Gudmundsson’s shot after the winger had been played in by Amdouni.

Luton took control after this early let-off. The rejuvenated Ross Barkley saw an effort touched over by Trafford before Burnley’s England Under-21 goalkeeper saved a shot from Chiedozie Ogbene at his near post.

Kompany ditched his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to push Amdouni up alongside Lyle Foster and the attacking move paid off in the 36th minute when the Clarets took the lead.

Odobert did well on the left and beat Teden Mengi before pulling back his deflected cross for Amdouni to fire home (below). Gudmundsson may have got the final touch on the line, although Burnley did not care and they had first blood in this huge relegation six-pointer.

The goal boosted Burnley and they might have had a second if Foster had played in Amdouni instead of over-hitting his pass.

Vitinho curled a shot just over before Kaminski scrambled across to claw away Odobert’s deflected shot.

But, with Burnley set to claim a vital win, came the huge, huge late, late call when Trafford was fouled by Adebayor but VAR allowed Morris’s goal to stand.