LUCAS Akins' second half brace ensured that Albion finished their home campaign with a 2-1 victory to put a dent in Luton Town's title and promotion charge.
Former Albion loan striker James Collins had given Mick Harford's side the lead on the half hour as the Hatters struggled to come to terms with the difficult windy conditions at the Pirelli Stadium showing all his predatory instincts to turn the ball home from a rebound but it was Akins, grabbing his thirteenth and fourteenth goals of the season that that proved to be the match winner twice converting from excellent John Brayford assists as Albion exposed the nerves in the visitors defence with the finishing line in sight.
Nigel Clough was able to welcome back both Colin Daniel and Scott Fraser after the pair had both missed the Easter Monday defeat at Southend. Both came straight back into the side with Daniel replacing Reece Hutchinson and Fraser in for the injured Liam Boyce and slotting into a position just behind strike pair Marcus Harness and Lucas Akins.
With the stiff breeze at their backs it ewas no surprise that Albion were on the front foot early on with Akins steering an early header wide of the target. As Luton battled to get on top of the conditions Luke Berry headed wide when Jack Stacey found space on the right to dig out a deep cross to the back post.
Ben Fox had a half chance to put the Brewers in front when he got to a Harness cross first inside the box but the young midfielder couldnt make a clean contact, scuffing the ball towards goal making it easier for James Shea in the Luton goal.
Albion went mighty close to the lead on 20 minutes when a free kick was played short to Harness and his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Shea as the ball moved wickedly in the air.
Things began to open up for Luton as they looked to grab the initiative to drive for the finishing line in the race for promotion and when Kazenga Lualua escaped the attentions of Kieran Wallace on the left all he needed to do was pick out Berry at the far post with his cross but his composure on this occasion evaded him as Berry was left with his hands on his head as the ball went behind him.
The goal that Luton needed to settle themselves down came on the half hour through COLLINS. It owed much to the industry of Elliot Lee who worked his way past Brayford on the Luton left and forcing a save from Bywater at his near post and Collins quickest to react to the loose ball to fire home.
Fraser was adamant that he should have had a penalty when he seemed to be sent sprawling in the box and as Albion continued to push for an equaliser Kyle McFadzean let fly from at least 25 yards to force a full length save from Shea away to his right.
Harness forced an awkward save from Shea with another speculative effort before Luton replied in kind with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu curling an effort over the bar as half-time began to loom.
Half time: Burton Albion 0-1 Luton Town
Whilst Luton made a strong start after the break it was Shea in the Luton goal proving to be the busier fielding an angled effort from Harness and then putting himself in the right place to get behind a shot from Daniel that lacked power on his right foot.
Albion tried to get on the front foot but with the conditions now favouring Luton it was proving difficult and as a series of corners caused problems in the Burton box Luton thought they had that vital two goal lead with Matty Pearson got the final touch to another inswinging set piece but referee Peter Wright had his whistle to his lips to pull play back for a foul.
But the Brewers were in no mood to just let Luton have their promotion party on a plate. Stephen Quinn delivered a teasing free kick to the back post for Brayford to head back into the six yard box where AKINS stooped to level things up.
And as the Luton defence suddenly started to creak a little Akins set up Harness for a chance that the forward probably had more time than he appreciated as he sidefooted wide from 12 yards.
The game was turned on its head seventeen minutes from time when AKINS grabbed his second turning home another assist by Brayford, a sweeping low cross from the right after good approach play from McFadzean raiding forward.
Luton were rocked now and they tried to throw everything forwards in search of an equaliser with Jason Cummings and George Moncur having been brought on to try and turn the tide. A late scramble in the Burton box, deep into injury time was their best chance but an offside flag brought that abrubtly to a halt and Albion had finished their home season on a winning note.