Ross Barkley believes Carlton Morris’ late leveller against Burnley could be “pivotal” to Luton’s Premier League survival fight.
The striker’s header did come with controversy as VAR ruled that Elijah Adebayo had not impeded Clarets keeper James Trafford, but it kept Town four points ahead of their basement rivals with a game in hand.
And it somewhat atoned for last-gasp goals conceded against Liverpool and Arsenal that snatched away four points at home.
“They are pivotal for us, getting them last-minute goals. It’s brilliant,” said Barkley.
“For us, confidence-wise, we’ve come here, came back from a goal down, got the point, so it’s good for the team.”
It was the second successive away game against relegation rivals that Morris has made a big impact off the bench after he forced two winning own goals at Sheffield United just before Christmas.
It was the third Premier League game in a row and ninth time overall that Town have scored in the last ten minutes or later.
Barkley said: “In the last 15 minutes, 20, a lot of our subs make the difference when they come on, like Carlton did today. Long may it continue.”
Having been come close to a second defeat to Burnley this term, it was a morale-boosting finale that although it kept Town in the bottom three, it drew them level on points with Everton.
“Yeah, massive,” Barkley told TNT Sports, adding: “It’s a difficult place to come, challenging at the bottom to get as high as possible up the league.
“They put in a difficult performance for us, but we dug in until the end, showed great character and the big man got the goal in the end, which he deserves.”
Barkley won the man of the match award as he came out on top for shots (four), chances created (four) and passes into the final third (23).
Luton manager Rob Edwards told the BBC: “We love him and he’s loving his time here as well. So, just continue to do what he’s doing.
“I know he’ll get a lot of the plaudits because his performances are great, but there’s a lot around him as well that are playing really, really well.
“I thought Sambi’s (Lokonga) performance alongside him was excellent as well.”
