Don't write Luton Town off just yet — they'll refuse to stay up first.

Substitute Elijah Adebayo (right) completed Luton Town's comeback in stoppage time. Photo: Reuters/Chris Radburn

Could this happen? Can Luton Town survive? Four defeats in the first four games suggest that character and status will take their toll. A month later they have one point at home and four away, and on Saturday they bounced back against Nottingham Forest to take a two-goal lead and both gain and score a point. They are out of the hatch and have the momentum that is currently eluding Burnley, Bournemouth and Sheffield United. yesterday

Chris Wood scored a superb goal shortly after the break, assisted by Anthony Elanga. Andros Townsend made his debut in his place, whiny after being rejected by Burnley. Ross Barkley added calm in the midfield, while Elijah Adebayo increased his striking threat.

Wood immediately scored again thanks to another assist from Elanga. Luton were looking down and away until the 83rd minute when Forest took a cheap free-kick to Luton's left. Townsend's efforts apologetically headed towards the goal. “It was the worst delivery of the day,” sighed Forest head coach Steve Cooper. Unfortunately for Forest, first Serge Aurier and then Harry Toffolo struggled to clear the ball, while the ever-threatening Chiedozie Ogbene easily scored his first top-level goal, beating Matt Turner.

Nottingham Forest looked to have achieved success thanks to two second-half goals from Chris Wood (left) Photo: Reuters/John Clifton

However, Forest looked safe. Luton picked and probed until eight extra minutes gave them extra spring. Two of those minutes had passed as they leveled on Route 1. Tom Lockyer sent a long ball forward. Elijah Adebayo beat Joe Worrall to fire home the loose ball in front of a frantic away support. Adebayo was then subjected to racial slurs on social media for the second game in a row. The club will contact the police.

“What’s the point of being here if we’re going to give up and roll over?” asked Rob Edwards, Luton manager. “Today did not surprise me, I know exactly what we are capable of. We weren't going to dominate the games from start to finish, but even with a deficit of two, I knew we had done better. We never give up, we always keep fighting.”

Despite all this, Forest should have been celebrating their third win of the season rather than a third straight home draw as they look to secure a foothold at the top of the table. Force and repeat two top-10 finishes in the mid-90s.

“The way it ended, it was a shame,” Cooper lamented. “Everyone is upset. We must blame ourselves for the way we gave in and accepted it.”