“HE’S one of our own” sang the Newport County AFC fans in the Hazell Stand as a superb performance from hometown hero Aaron Collins lit up this entertaining draw with promotion favourites Luton Town.

With both Joss Labadie and Paul Hayes missing from the matchday squad, Mark O’Brien returned from injury and Collins was handed his first County start since January 2016.

The 20-year-old’s direct running caused Luton problems all afternoon and he made an instant impact, creating the opening goal for Josh Sheehan in the second minute.

Collins weaved his way into the Hatters’ penalty area and saw his shot well saved by Marek Stech but Sheehan was in the right place to fire in the rebound from no more than eight yards out.

That was Sheehan’s second goal in eight days and it was no less than the hosts deserved for a red hot start on a bitterly cold afternoon at Rodney Parade.

That was the spark for an entertaining, end-to-end contest with both sides attacking each other with relish.

Luton responded well to going behind and almost levelled when Elliot Lee’s shot was deflected into the path of Danny Hylton, who forced Joe Day into a fine save at close range.

Dan Potts had a chance from the resulting corner but his shot was smashed into the face of Mickey Demetriou.

Collins continued to create problems for the visitors at the other end and his cross found Robbie Willmott, whose header looked like it hit the post before being hacked away.

South Wales Argus:

Luton levelled on 23 minutes when Potts was afforded far too much space and time to head powerfully past Day from six yards out.

The Exiles goalkeeper then pulled off a superb save to prevent James Collins giving his side the lead and Collins hit the bar after a rapid counter-attack shortly afterwards.

County’s Collins, Sheehan, Willmott and Padraig Amond continued to link well, however, with both sides giving as good as they got.

And it was a similar story after the break with Willmott’s cross giving Demetriou a sight of goal but the defender’s header was off target.

Hylton headed wide from a corner for Luton and the chances kept coming at both ends.

Aaron Collins’ header from a Ben White cross was well blocked by Hatters skipper Scott Cuthbert and Amond then saw another effort cleared after a trademark long throw from Ben Tozer caused panic in the area.

Frank Nouble replaced goalscorer Sheehan for the final 20 minutes as manager Michael Flynn looked for a repeat of the game-changing cameo the striker produced at Yeovil Town last week.

He had the chance to win it late on when released through the middle and he shot low and hard but Stech was equal to it.

Luton substitute Harry Cornick then hooked a shot wide and both sides had to settle for a point.

County: Day; White, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Tozer, Dolan; Willmott, Sheehan (Nouble, 70), Collins; Amond (McCoulsky, 85)

Subs not used: Bittner, Pipe, Reid, Bennett, Jackson

Booked: Dolan, O’Brien

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 3,512

Argus star man: Aaron Collins