The Town moved to within four points of the play-offs as they made it back-to-back wins with victory over Exeter at Kenilworth Road.

In an entertaining game against the out-of-form visitors, the Hatters were in command at half-time thanks to another goal from Kasey Palmer, a penalty from Jordan Clark and Hakeem Odoffin’s first for the club.

Exeter pulled one back to make it 3-2 early in the second half but despite dominating for long periods the Town could not find a killer fourth goal.

It set-up a tense finale, which included seven added minutes, but the Hatters held on to breathe new life into their play-off ambitions in a crowded race for the top six.

Two corners led to both goals in Saturday’s win at Wycombe and in an action-packed first-half, the Town took the lead in the 13th minute from another set-play. Liam Walsh’s corner from the left found Palmer and he nodded home his third goal in as many games.

Exeter, who came into the match without a win in 11 League One games, responded well and, on 25 minutes, the Grecians were level when Reece Cole fired home from the edge of the area.

Yet parity lasted less than four minutes as the Hatters regained the lead from the spot. Jack Aitchison was adjudged to have handled in the box and from the resultant penalty Clark sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 11th of the season.

But back came the visitors and they spurned an excellent opportunity to make it 2-2 on 32 minutes when Jack McMillan missed two chances from close range, striking the post with second of them.

As half-time approached the chances kept coming in an open game. It was almost 3-1 when Palmer was denied by a fine save after being found by Walsh’s cute pass but moments before the half-time whistle the lead was increased.

Emilio Lawrence was clattered on the touchline and from the resultant free-kick swung in by George Saville, Odoffin was first to guide the ball home from close range for his first goal in Luton colours.

The two-goal lead was cut out just five minutes after the restart, however, as fine wing play from Timur Tutierov teed up Ilmari Niskanen to tap home from close range.

The goal sparked the Hatters into life but try as they might they could not add to their tally.

Devante Cole, the one change to the Town team that started at the weekend, saw a shot saved on 54 minutes, Clark fired over a minute later and, on the hour, Clark clipped the crossbar with a deflected shot.

Kal Naismith, fresh from a goal at the weekend nodded over on 64 minutes before Clark acrobatically volleyed wide three minutes later.

Jack Wilshere looked to the bench with 15 minutes to play, introducing former Exeter midfielder Jake Richards and striker Elijah Adebayo for his first appearance at Kenilworth Road in almost a year.

Naismith then flashed a volley wide but the Town could not find a fourth and the final stages saw the visitors push for the leveller.

But, despite several minutes of added time, Exeter could not create a meaningful chance and the Hatters were left to celebrate a second win in the space of four days.

Stockport are up next at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

We’ll see you then.

UTT.

Town: Keeley, Lawrence, Kodua, Lonwijk, Odoffin, Naismith, Saville (sub Sandal 90+5), Clark (sub van den Berg 90+2), Walsh, Palmer (sub Richards 75), Cole (sub Adebayo 75).

Subs not used: Shea, Morris, Johnson.

Attendance: 9,216, including 471 from Exeter.