SNAKE CHARM

BLUES kept their promotion hopes flickering with a snake-loving chef setting them on the way to their biggest home success of the season.

Paul Devlin, who keeps an American king snake called Derek, grabbed a goal after just 16 seconds.

Then three goals came in the last 14 minutes - two from Paul Barnes.

It keeps Barry Fry's battlers in touching distance of the playoffs, although they now face a daunting trio of away games at Sunderland, Derby County and Leicester City.

Fry said: "We face a horrendous battle, but I'm a lucky so-and-so and maybe we'll just sneak in there."

Napping

Fry added: "I tried to sign Barnes a year ago and if I had managed it we'd be in the Premier league now."

From the kick-off Luton centre backs Darren Patterson and Martin Johnson were caught napping.

Devlin burst in between them to score his seventh goal in 12 games.

Blues had to wait until the 76th minute to give themselves breathing space when sub Kevin Francis headed in a Gary Poole centre.

Within 60 seconds Peschisolido had released Barnes, who drilled a low shot past Luton keeper Ian Feuer.

Then in injury time Peschy again turned provider. His shot was beaten out - but Barnes tucked in the rebound.

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