CARLTON MORRIS' last-gasp winner saved Luton’s skins against Bournemouth to keep them in the fight for survival.
It had to start today for the Hatters, who would have felt a draw was a missed opportunity with the ominous prospect of a trip to Manchester City coming next for them.
Morris' 90th-minute tap-in added to Jordan Clark’s 73rd minute equaliser, which cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s 52nd minute opener, to put them level on 25 points Nottingham Forest who are one place above the drop zone.
Ross Barkley blazed a wild shot over the bar early on but from there the hosts were under the cosh.
There were rough and tumbles between Barkley and Ryan Christie, resulting in a free-kick which Marcus Tavernier cracked onto the post.
London, New York and Europe welcome New Year; plus pics from around the world
The Cherries winger then grazed the left post with a low drive after being teed up by Dominic Solanke.
Time and time again the Hatters were caught shirking their defensive duties and a blistering Bournemouth counter-attack finished with Justin Kluivert shaving a shot just shy of goal.
Luton hit back though and an inch-perfect Alfie Doughty cross found Tahith Chong who shimmied between three Bournemouth shirts but rifled over.
Bournemouth were still on top and could have nicked the opener had it not been for a superb save by Thomas Kaminski who clawed away a Antoine Semenyo header.
Issa Kabore then heroically cleared off the line with his noggin after another Kluviert shot.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
After the break, the hosts started brightly as Carlton Morris forced Neto in a jaw-dropping save with a close-range attempt.
But Bournemouth were relentless and a deserved opener came on 51 minutes.
Kluivert’s twinkle toes danced up the right flank before he teed up Tavernier outside the box who sent a fierce, low drive into the net.
Luton knew it was do or die and Clark linked up with Morris before the striker cracked a low shot off the post.
Vinicius' strike is enough to seal three points as newboys remain point-less
Doughty then curled a shot at goal but Neto comfortably mopped up the damage.
Write off Rob Edwards’ battlers at your own peril though as they heroically pulled themselves back into it on 73 minutes.
It all began with Clark who charged towards goal before linking up with substitute Luke Berry who was falling to the floor but still managed to tee up Clark.
The midfielder finished the job by slotting home into the bottom corner to spark mayhem at Kenilworth Road.
The home fans went even more bezerk on 90 minutes as Morris wrapped things up after popping up from six yards out to knock Cauley Woodrow's cross into the bottom corner.
Rob Edwards ran down the touchline to celebrate to show just how much a win meant as chants of "the Town are staying up" blared around the ground.
