SHEFFIELD, England (Reuters) -Jack Robinson and Anis Ben Slimane scored own goals in the final 13 minutes as Sheffield United let a late lead slip and lost 3-2 to fellow Premier League strugglers Luton Town at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Luton took the lead in the first half through Alfie Doughty, but a strong second-half showing from the home side turned the game on its head as Oli McBurnie netted and Anel Ahmedhodzic scored his first Premier League goal.
Having worked so hard to get in front, however, United surrendered their lead in cruel fashion as Robinson flicked a cross into his own net and Slimane deflected a shot into his own goal.
Luton stayed in 18th position but moved to 15 points from 18 games, one point from safety, while United remained rooted to the bottom of the standings with nine points from 19 matches, their survival hopes having taken a massive blow.
The match was officiated by Sam Allison, who became the first black referee in the Premier League for 15 years and only the second ever after Uriah Rennie.
Luton started and finished the game on top, but had to withstand some heavy United pressure in between and home manager Chris Wilder will be livid with the manner of the defeat.
United had won one of 47 Premier League games prior to this fixture when they conceded the first goal, and should have made it two from 48.
Doughty gave Luton the lead when he easily beat Gustavo Hamer on the right wing and his low shot from a tight angle went through the legs of home goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, a save he should have made.
United defender Auston Trusty saw his header hit the crossbar on the stroke of halftime before the hosts deservedly drew level just past the hour-mark when Allison played advantage after James McAtee appeared to be fouled and the ball fell kindly to McBurnie to score his third goal of the season.
The home side took the lead as they continued to dominate in the second half. Luton failed to clear a cross and after a scramble in the box, Anel Ahmedhodzic scored his first Premier League goal.
But Luton were level again 13 minutes from the end when Robinson’s attempted headed clearance only succeeded in steering the ball into his own net, before a pass in the box deflected off Slimane and looped into the goal for the winner.
(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond and Christian Radnedge)
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