Luton 1-0 Portsmouth – Jordan Clarke goal takes Hatters off foot of table

But Luton held on, surviving a nervy six minutes of stoppage time, to go up to 22nd in the table – and to within two points of safety as they attempt to avoid back-to-back relegations.

Clark’s goal came just after the midpoint of the first half and was a deserved reward for an impressive opening 45 minutes.

An angled Alfie Doughty shot almost doubled the lead before the break, but Pompey improved on the resumption – having more possession and threatening with a couple of blocked shots.

The Hatters withstood the pressure, however, keeping the visitors at bay through a combination of disciplined defending and total commitment, while they were convinced they should have been given the chance to wrap up the points from the penalty spot when Clark seemed to be tripped by Regan Poole.

But Clark’s fourth goal of the season – and Ogilvie’s miss – was enough for Luton to avoid matching their longest winless run in the English Football League (EFL) since a 13-match sequence between January and March 2008.