Also See:

But Luton were back in front four minutes later with Mark McGuinness heading Jordan Clark’s cross into the top left corne r, with the referee signalling that the ball had crossed the line despite Cumming’s attempt to paw it out.

The Hatters led 2-1 at the break, but in the 59th minute centre-back Ciaran Brown turned in Brannagan’s corner in a crowded box to draw the home side level again.

Sirike Dembele had twice gone close to levelling for a second time for United before half-time, seeing one shot deflect into Thomas Kaminski’s arms, and a second one beaten out by the goalkeeper.

Luton still looked dangerous going forward, however, and it needed a good block by Helik, who only joined Oxford from Huddersfield last Friday, to stop Elijah Adebayo from scoring a third.

Brannagan had struck a spectacular free-kick winner against Blackburn at the weekend and when Dembele was fouled early in the second half, and in a similar position, he must have fancied his chances of repeating the trick. But Luton’s wall held firm to block his drive.

However, the visiting defence were caught out in the 69th minute when Leigh headed Oxford into the lead.

Rowett had brought on striker Tom Bradshaw for Mark Harris four minutes before Leigh’s goal, and the former Millwall forward had an effort with a back header which went straight into Kaminski’s arms.

Luton pressed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time but United held firm.

The managers

Oxford’s Gary Rowett:

“I probably wouldn’t have expected the quality of finishing from the defenders, it was outstanding really.

“It was outside of the foot from Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik and then Greg getting free in the box and finishing it off, so it was a fabulous way to win the game.

“I felt this would be our toughest test in some ways. I’ve watched them play and they’re a little bit different – they’re very good at what they do in that they are very direct and are good at winning second balls.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the two goals we conceded, pleased with the way we got back into the game.

“We went behind for the first time, went behind for the second time, and I said to the players at half-time sometimes in the Championship you have to show a little bit how to win in a different way.

“Before this we’ve gone in front each time, here we had to show a different type of resilience and quality to find a way to win the game.”

Luton’s Matt Bloomfield:

“There was some real good stuff, especially first half. We sank a bit too deep for my liking second half and invited a bit too much pressure, which is not what we wanted to do.

“But it’s frustrating because there were some good elements and we’ve come away with nothing because we have to defend our box better.

“The game will never change… The two boxes are the most important areas of the pitch. You have to defend one area with your life and you stick the ball in the net at the other end, that’s what the game comes down to.

“We scored two good goals tonight but ultimately we didn’t defend our goal well enough.

“Ultimately the game is about results, and I’m here to win.

“I knew the job when I came in, it’s a fantastic football club, full of really, really good people, but there’s a lot of work to do on the training ground.”