Kevin Phillips scored twice in the final three minutes to hand
West Brom a thrilling 3-2 win over Luton.
Luton seemed set to secure their first away win since September
after coming from a goal behind to lead, but Phillips stabbed home
late on and then headed home in injury-time to move The Baggies to
within seven points of Birmingham.
The Baggies made a bright start to the contest and Richard Chaplow
fired an early warning of their intent when striking a post from 20
yards.
Luton, who have lost key players in the transfer market, were not
overawed and Warren Feeney saw a shot deflected inches wide.
Feeney's pace was a problem for West Brom but he should have done
better when shooting wide from six yards.
West Brom were the dominant force, though, and Phillips tested Dean
Kiely from the edge of the box, while Chaplow headed just wide
following a good cross from Phillips.
The contest seemed set to end goalless at the break, but no-one had
told Jason Koumas who showed his class when gliding between two
defenders and curling a shot into the bottom corner.
The home side were the dominant force at the start of the second
half, but they were made to rue wasteful finishing from Phillips
and Diomansy Kamara as Keith Keane drew Luton level on the
hour.
The midfielder cut in from the right and exchanged passes with
Steve Robinson before tucking his shot into the corner.
Luton came into the game without an away win since September, but
they took confidence from Keane's goal and Adam Boyd and David Bell
combined to provide Warren Feeney with a simple tap in.
West Brom never gave up and their persistence was rewarded on 88
minutes as Phillips held off a clutch of Luton defenders before
stabbing home, although The Hatters felt they should have been
awarded a free-kick for a foul on Bell in the build-up to the
goal.
The Baggies were awarded a free-kick in injury-time and Phillips
climbed high to head beyond Kiely to pinch what had appeared a most
unlikely victory three minutes earlier.