James Collins struck as Luton climbed off the bottom of the Championship with a priceless 1-0 win over struggling Sheffield Wednesday.
The Hatters’ top-scorer netted in the 23rd minute to take his side to within seven points of safety and condemn the Owls to their sixth defeat in nine league games.
Collins had wasted a glorious chance inside the opening 30 seconds when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was tugged back in the area from Izzy Brown’s pass, with referee Gavin Ward awarding a penalty.
Collins stepped up from 12 yards, only to blast his spot-kick against the crossbar and over.
Town midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe went close in the 12th minute, meeting James Bree’s cross on the half-volley and shooting straight at keeper Cameron Dawson.
Brown then missed a sitter as meeting Collins’ chested lay-off just six yards out, he side-footed against the outside of the post.
Luton finally had the lead though when visiting defender Dominic Iorfa was caught in possession, Harry Cornick rounded Dawson and squared for Collins to slide home his 10th goal of the season.
He could have made it 2-0 seconds later, diverting Mpanzu’s miss-hit shot over the bar when off balance from close range.
The Owls’ only effort of note saw Fernando Forestieri curl narrowly wide of the target before Town threatened a second, Glen Rea’s low 20-yarder well handled by Dawson and Collins nodding Bree’s corner over.
After the break, Luton keeper Simon Sluga made a smart stop from Kadeem Harris’ 22-yard drive, before the substitute crossed for an unmarked Julian Borner to power his header wide from just eight yards, while Matty Pearson made a superb block from Tom Lees’ snapshot.
Bree’s free-kick did not catch out Dawson at his near post, as he shuffled across to collect, before Iorfa tried to atone for his earlier error, heading wide when left unmarked in the area.
Dan Potts thought he had made it 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining, only to see his thumping effort from a corner ruled out for an apparent infringement on Owls keeper Dawson.
They were almost made to pay in stoppage time as substitute Atdhe Nuhiu was found inside the area, but the striker could only slice wide of the target under pressure from Pearson.
