McPhee stuns Hatters with leveller

The Aggborough outfit were under the cosh in the first half as former Harriers Matthew Barnes-Homer fired the Hatters ahead.

However, Harriers rode their luck as the home team spurned a host of good scoring chances.

McPhee's 51st minute leveller galvanised Steve Burr's troops who then did well to contain their big-spending opponents.

Despite Fleetwood winning at Newport, Harriers remain fifth in the table and this result means they are now unbeaten in nine league games.

The away side's plans were disrupted when an accident on the M1 saw them arrive at Keinilworth road 45 minutes before kick-off.

Luton tried to take advantage - Hatters hitman Lloyd Owusu was booked inside the first 60 seconds, for diving in the box after Mark Albrighton had tackled ex-Harrier Matthew Barnes-Homer.

Lloyd Owusu came close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute, but keeper Danny Lewis dived to his right to palm the low shot behind for a corner.

Harriers were competing in terms of territory but lacked a cutting edge early on, with McPhee hitting a long range effort high and wide.

At the other end, Michael Briscoe stood up strong to an Barnes-Homer's run into the box after a defence-splitting pass from Paul Carden.

Briscoe then headed Tom Shaw's free-kick across the face of goal but was ruled offside.

The away side were defending stoutly but Luton posed a threat and Owusu should have done better when he stole in at the near post but diverted Fred Murrary's low ball off target.

Harriers winger Callum Gittings also wasted a chance moments later, heading the ball into keeper Mark Tyler's arms after good work by Matty Blair.

But Luton opened the scoring in bizzare circumstances in the 27th minute. Barnes-Homer rode two challenges before rifling a rising shot between Lewis and his left-hand post.

The home fans were incensed when the linesman had ruled the goal out and Harriers players contined as if nothing had happened, but the referee eventually gave the goal.

Burr, who had just fielded Sean Canham up front on his own, pushed Chris McPhee forward and Harriers took the game to Luton.

Canham came close to an equaliser. Albrighton's shot blazed through a crowded box and fell into the striker's path but scooped a shot onto the bar.

Moments later, Canham's looping header was tipped over the bar by Tyler, after good work by Blair and Gittings, although the flag went up for a foul.

Harriers survived a late scare as Luton's strikers wasted two chances to extend the host's lead. Owusu headed over the bar, while Barnes-Homer watched a dipping effort fly over the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.

But Harriers levelled the scores six minutes into the second half. Mike Williams' driving run won a free-kick off Keith Keane. Shaw swung in a fine free-kick and McPhee's downward header at the far post beat Tyler.

Luton hit back with a spell of pressure but Owusu wasted a chance when he shot over the bar with just Lewis to beat.

Barnes-Homer teed up a chance for Keane in the 66th minute but from the edge of the box the midfielder sidefooted his shot over the bar.

Lewis denied Luton in the 69th minute, blocking Keane's in-swinging free-kick.

Harriers were doing a good job to nullify the hosts, with Barnes-Homer being reduced to one cross from the right, which was easy for Lewis to collect, and an off target effort.

Williams was cool as a cucumber as the pacey Gnakpa ran at him and calmly headed the ball ball away as the winger bared down.

The visitors continued to stifle the home side, with Luton barely managing a shot in the final 10 minute and they held onto earn a useful point in their play-off chase.

Harriers: Lewis; Sharpe; Williams; Albrighton; Briscoe; Gittings; Briggs (Morris, 76); Shaw; Blair; Canham (Matt, 86); McPhee.

Unused substitutes: Stevens; Vaughan; Wright.

Luton: Tyler; Gleason; Murray; Keane; Pilkington; Barnes-Homer; Kroca; Howells (Morgan-Smith, 82); Carden; Gnakpa; Owusu.

Unused substitutes: Crow; Poku; Pilkington.

Referee: Attendance: 6,108 (176)