Late goals lay Luton low

An injury-time goal by Welsh international striker Dean Saunders broke the hearts of gallant Luton and saw Liverpool snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in an astonishing last five minutes.

The Merseysiders staged a ferocious second-half onslaught but it had begun to look as if lowly Luton were on course for their first away victory since March last year, courtesy of Liverpool defender Nicky Tanner's first half own goal.

But after 85 minutes Steve Nicol crossed from the left, Mark Wright headed the ball into the danger area and Steve McManaman forced home the equaliser as on-loan Luton keeper Steve Sutton tried to clear.

Liverpool surged forward again and with the second half over 46 minutes old, substitute Ronnie Rosenthal found John Barnes. He crossed for Saunders to stretch out a leg and turn the ball past the despairing Sutton from close range.

Tanner had cut out Kurt Nogan's pass intended for Mark Pembridge after 31 minutes, but then he pushed the ball wide of keeper Bruce Grobbelaar and into his own net in a disastrous attempt at a back-pass.

Liverpool had survived an early scare, Paul Telfer's drive deflecting off Nicol onto the bar after six minutes.

Sutton saved well in the first half from Barnes and McManaman while Saunders sliced a close-range volley just wide.

After the break it was virtually one-way traffic for Liverpool, Michael Thomas was twice denied by Luton centre-half John Dreyer and a low 25-yard Ray Houghton drive rebounded off the foot of the post.

Sutton and Saunders both needed attention after 74 minutes when they collided painfully after the keeper just beat the striker in a race for the ball. 

Copyright - British Soccer Week