Two goals deep into inury time sank United at Luton tonight. Matt Green's second half strike looked to have given United a win but a header from centre half George Pilkington in the 93rd minute and then Keith Keane's winner in the 96th gave Luton a memorable victory.

It was a fixture fans of both clubs had been looking forward to since they last met in September, and with 1,500 Yellows making up a more than respectable chunk of the 8,860 gathered inside Kenilworth Road the atmosphere leading up to kick-off was positively electric.

The game itself didn't start in quite the same explosive manner but it was the home side who snapped into life quickest, playing some decent quick passes that pegged United back and restricted their ability going forward for the first ten minutes. United weathered the spell in steady fashion with Rhys Day in particular cutting an imposing figure and heading away several early crosses and throw-ins, but it was the visitors who nearly opened the scoring.

Jack Midson threaded the ball through for Potter who had skillfully slipped away from his marker to earn a clear run through the channel, but his low shot couldn't find its way past Tyler in the Hatters goal. It was the first real chance that either side had produced, and two minutes later the U's were at it again as Sam Deering knocked down a Potter cross for Simon Clist, but the midfield man who so often scores crucial away goals saw his shot deflected wide of the post.

As the first quarter of the game elapsed United began to settle in and gain the upper hand in midfield, with stand-in skipper Chris Hargreaves battling well both in the air and on the ground. Some good break-up play from the Yellows saw Alfie Potter set off on a run from the halfway line that took him past several Town defenders on 24, but after working his way into the box the winger could only drag a left-footed shot wide of the near post.

The next ten minutes saw a more even contest with the Hatters throwing in some solid challenges in the middle, but yet again it was the visitors who threatened on 34 after Deering's speculative effort kept Tyler on his toes. Both Deering and Potter were providing decent outlets on either flank and you sensed that if Oxford were going to get a goal it may well come through one of them.

There was a real scare for the U's on 44 as Craddock broke free through the middle and hit a rasping 25 yard shot against the post, and just thirty seconds later the same player produced a good save from Ryan Clarke after his effort from the edge of the box looked destined for the top corner of the net. United then saw Simon Clist's low ball across the six yard box trickle agonisingly past the boot of Potter in the dying seconds of stoppage time, but as the half time whistle blew it was definitely the Yellows who could go into the dressing rooms happiest.

Attacking their own fans and well aware of the expectations The Hatters began the second half seeing more of the ball, but United were strong in the tackle and repelled everything thrown at them. Jake Wright had probably his best game since joining and with Day imperious alongside him and Hargreaves doing a great disciplined job for his team just in front of the back four they were able to spring forward from a strong base.

Potter flashed a right footed effort wide of the mark on 54 and the home side started to pick up yellow cards as ref Madley kept a lid on things well.

Two set pieces created near things as Day couldn't make contact with the first when a sneeze would have directed the ball home and then Midson's downwards header on 62 minutes went straight at keeper Tyler.

In an atmosphere that reminded you of the days when the two teams would meet in the top division The Hatters continued to go forwards but weren't able to find a final ball, wheras United have a great habit of finding goals from many players and at key moments.

In this case an inspired substitution did the trick. Potter did very well to dig a deep cross from the right which the superb Simon Clist headed back at the far post. Green, on as a sub, turned and hit the shot with his first touch of the game and United were 1-0 up and celebrating with their magnificent supporters.

Luton, for all their possession had rarley looked like scoring, and when sub Barnes-Homer did get a sight of goal Day was on hand with another superb tackle to deny him as time ran out for the home side. Wright then made a goal saving header from a free kick on 92 but the pressure was building and two set pieces in injury time lifted the roof off  and broke United hearts.

First Pilkington smacked a header from Keane's free kick which looked to get a flick and deceive Ryan Clarke. Then Keane's last minute corner was missed by everyone and seemed to go straight into the net. Keane got overexcited and was sent off for his celebration, but there was hardly time for the restart anyway.

I was here when Dean Saunders scored in similar dramatic fashion to keep United up. Twenty something years on, Luton had their revenge.

United had given it everything and will be sick but the season will twist and turn for every week that remains.

Att: 8,860

Away: 1,500

Report by Ryan Bird and Chris Williams

See video reaction and highlights in Yellow Player.