The Town recovered from two goals down to earn a point at Mansfield to stay in the hunt for a place in the play-offs.

A two-goal burst from Stags midfielder Jon Russell had Jack Wilshere’s playing catch up but goals either side of half-time, firstly from Kasey Palmer and then from Shayden Morris, hauled the Hatters level.

But despite dominating for long spells in the second half, the Town could not force a winner, finding home goalkeeper Liam Roberts in inspired form.

The point keeps the Hatters three points off the play-offs with three games to play with Stevenage holding leaders Lincoln to draw.

Against a Mansfield side that had lost just once in their last 10 games, the Town almost fell behind in the 10th minute when Kal Naismith cleared a shot from Louis Reed off the line.

However, the Stags’ bright start was rewarded when Russell struck twice in the space of eight minutes. Firstly, on 21 minutes, the midfielder fired home at the post, before the same player curled a fine finish beyond Josh Keeley seven minutes later.

Two goals down the Town began to play as half-time approached. Morris saw a shot saved by Roberts on 36 minutes before Palmer reduced the deficit four minutes later. Emilio Lawrence was the architect, racing down the left to cross for Palmer to finish smartly first time to make it 2-1.

Having got to within one, the Hatters should have been level by the break – only to be denied thanks to the brilliance of Roberts in the home goal. The keeper produced an incredible reflex stop to turn Davy van den Berg’s shot around the post on 42 minutes before keeping out a Morris effort a minute later.

Wilshere made a change at half-time, Joe Johnson introduced for Mads Andersen and within five minutes of the restart the Town were level. Palmer’s peach of a pass out to the right flank found Morris and the wingr raced into the box and beat Roberts with a shot across goal.

You felt there would be only one winner now the Town were level but try as they might they could not force home a third goal.

Naismith was denied by the post on 53 minutes from close range following Liam Walsh’s left-wing corner and, as the Hatters continued to press, Palmer saw a shot saved by Roberts and Hakeem Odoffin saw a header cannon back off the crossbar.

The Town were camped in the Mansfield half and their best chance of taking the lead came with 15 minutes left when substitute Nahki Wells teed up Palmer but, with the goal at his mercy, the midfielder’s shot was well-saved by Roberts once more.

As time ticked down the Hatters pushed for a winner. Wilshere sent on Gideon Kodua, Devante Cole and Jake Richards as six minutes of time were added – but the Town could not find a way through and it ended all square.

The Town are on the road on Tuesday when they head to Rotherham as they aim to break into the top six.

With three games to go, anything can still happen.

Come on Luton.

Town: Keeley, Lonwijk, Lawrence (sub Kodua 80), Naismith, Andersen (sub Johnson 46), Odoffin, van den Berg (sub Richards 89), Walsh, Palmer, Morris (sub Cole 89), Al-Hamadi (sub Wells 69).

Subs not used: Shea, Saville.

Attendance: 8,871, including 1,350 backing the Hatters.