PATRICK Hoban struck a stoppage-time equaliser as Oxford United came from two goals down to claim a point at Luton Town.

The visitors enjoyed good spells, but looked to be leaving Kenilworth Road empty-handed as Cameron McGeehan made it 2-0 midway through the second half.

But Luton, who opened the scoring just before half-time through Luke Wilkinson, were stung by a dramatic finish from the visitors.

Kemar Roofe's deflected shot on 81 minutes got them back in the game and deep into stoppage-time substitute Hoban tapped in for his second goal for the club.

A point was a fair reflection on the balance of play, but it was United celebrating at the final whistle.

The visitors, unchanged again, had to work very hard to avoid a repeat of last season's corresponding fixture, when they fell behind early on.

Luton came roaring out of the blocks and McGeehan fired a warning shot wide inside 30 seconds.

Everything came through Patrick McCourt, who ran the opening 15 minutes as he roamed in the space between United's back four an midfield.

He laid on a glorious chance for Craig Mackail-Smith on seven minutes, but the experienced striker's effort was well blocked by Sam Slocombe.

Wilkinson also grazed the United crossbar as Luton piled on the pressure with a series of set pieces.

But the visitors held on and, thanks to a tactical tweak which saw their wide midfielders come inside to block Luton's supply line, they got back in the game after the 20-minute mark.

Liam Sercombe's driving runs played a big part in pushing the Hatters back and the visitors began to cause problems of their own.

Luton goalkeeper Mark Tyler was tested for the first time just before the half-hour, when he saved from Alex MacDonald's low shot after a well-worked corner.

The next attack should have yielded a better chance as Luton's defence were caught out, but a poor pass from Danny Hylton undermined Sercombe's opening.

The momentum swung back towards the hosts in the final ten minutes of the half.

Mackail-Smith had a terrific finish ruled out for offside, but four minutes before the break Luton had the ball in the net again.

Wilkinson, scorer of the opener in Luton's 2-0 win last season, rose highest at a corner to head home.

United came close to conceding a second on the stroke of half-time from another set piece.

Again Wilkinson won the aerial battle and although Hylton blocked on the line, the ball popped up for Paul Benson to head against Slocombe's left-hand post.

The interval came at a good time for United, who regained the initiative after the restart.

MacDonald had a goal disallowed for fouling his marker as he headed Kemar Roofe's cross past Tyler on 52 minutes.

It looked the right decision, but the home fans grew increasingly restless as United's good spell continued.

Ryan Taylor headed wide at a corner from Danny Rose, who belted a swerving shot inches wide with the next opening.

But just as the pressure was building, United were hit by a sucker punch.

A long ball was flicked on and fell to McGeehan, who turned and shot smartly into the corner of the net.

Appleton responded by bringing on Hoban and Callum O'Dowda, as the visitors went on search of a way back into the game.

Johnny Mullins came agonisingly close on 75 minutes with a superb volley which rattled the crossbar.

And nine minutes from time Roofe pulled a goal back, letting fly from 20 yards with a shot which appeared to get a deflection to leave Tyler rooted.

It gave United hope, but Luton did all they could to run down the clock for victory.

It appeared to have done the job, but in the second minute of stoppage time O'Dowda swung in a deep cross.

Tyler could only flap the ball to Mullins, whose header fell kindly for Hoban to bundle in from close range.

Luton Tn: Tyler, McNulty, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, O'Donnell (Ruddock Mpanzu 58), Doyle, McGeehan, McCourt (Smith 81), Griffiths, Benson, Mackail-Smith (Marriott 81).

Unused subs: Justham, Lawless, McQuoid, Potts.

Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, Roofe, Sercombe, Rose, MacDonald (O'Dowda 72), Hylton, Taylor (Hoban 72).

Unused subs: Crocombe, Long, Dunkley, Ashby, Ruffels.

Attendance: 8,877 (781 visitors).

Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).