Wigan Athletic edged ever closer to the Second Division title despite their third successive stalemate.
The home side never fired on all cylinders against a stubborn, spoiling Luton outfit that came to the JJB happy to take away a point.
After an instantly forgettable first half the game burst into life eight minutes after the break when Luton danger man Steve Howard headed home his 16th goal of the season following a deep cross from David Bayliss.
Howard caused the home defence no end of problems all afternoon and was unlucky twice in the first half with efforts that went just wide.
But the goal finally injected some life into the home side and Paul Jewell produced a managerial master-stroke on the hour when he brought on Welsh international striker Neil Roberts.
And it was Roberts who dragged Wigan level 14 minutes later with a close-range header after a well-worked free-kick had been headed into his path by skipper Jason De Vos.
The home side then turned up the tempo, but couldn't find a way through although Nathan Ellington was inches away from turning home a cross from Lee McCulloch after a superb home move.
But events elsewhere mean that Wigan are still on course for promotion, although no doubt manager Jewell and their fans would like to see a bit more style between now and the end of the season.