LUTON experienced heartbreak in last night's English League Cup third-round replay at Kenitworth Road as an equaliser 83 seconds into stoppage rescued Wimbledon.

And, almost inevitably after their last-gasp escape, eight minutes into extra-time the Premiership side got the winner, Peter Fear striking a ferocious drive through a crowd of players.

The second division side had outplayed the Londoners over 90 minutes but had not cashed in and they paid the price for failing to get the goals their approach play deserved when Stewart Castledine shot Wimbledon's equaliser.

Before then referee Mike Riley of Leeds had signalled his intention to add on extra time as Luton tried to take a breather in the second half.

Luton, fifth in the second division and with 13 unbeaten games behind them, shook Wimbledon by the quality of their play, particularly in midfield where Ceri Hughes and Graham Alexander held sway.

Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear took a gamble by leaving out three men who were on international duty at the weekend Vinnie Jones, Ben Thatcher and Oyvind Leonhardsen.

And for much of the game it looked as though Wimbldeon would pay heavily as Luton, roared on by their biggest gate of the season, took the game to the visitors.

Even defender Steve Davis joined in their attacks with an early drive which flashed inches too high.

Tony Thorpe produced a brilliant solo run and shot which Neil Sullivan saved at full length and then made it a top quality double save by blocking an effort from the rebound by Paul Showler.

Wimbledon's best defensive tactic was to catch Luton offside, but Sullivan still was much the busier goalkeeper.

And he was caught in no-man's land after 28 minutes, moving out of goal as Hughes floated in a long free-kick down the middle and then being left helpless as Dean Blackwell's back header floated into the net for an own-goal.

Luton should have doubled the score before the interval but Kim Grant wasted a good chance.

Wimbledon's only serious effort of the first half saw Dean Holdsworth go clear when Marvin Johnson and Julian James were robbed by Efan Ekoku, but Ian Feuer blocked.

In the second half, Showler curled a shot just over the bar and Grant had an effort saved by Sullivan's legs as Luton pressed forward.

But they failed to get the killer goal and in stoppage time after every Wimbledon player, including the goalkeeper went up for a corner, Castledine fired the equaliser.

That proved too much for Luton to overcome, although they went close in the dying seconds of the game after winning a string of corners.