Substitute Danns hooked the ball into the net from close range after Radhi Jaidi had headed on a cross from Neil Kilkenny.

It means Blues have extended their lead at the top of the table to nine points but the Hatters can feel aggrieved they failed to collect all three points.

Luton were sharper in all departments with their wide players Carlos Edwards and Dean Morgan a constant threat while Rowan Vine looked particularly sharp up front.

For Blues it was a wake-up call if they thought they could stroll through the second half of the campaign and only midfielder Fabrice Muamba emerged with much credit.

The home players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for former City midfielder Johnny Vincent who died during Christmas at the age of 59.

Luton had strong claims for a penalty after five minutes when Raidi Jaidi appeared to bring down Richard Langley but referee Phil Joslin waved play on.

Hatters defender Lewis Emanuel ventured forward to try his luck from 30 yards out and his low drive was saved by Taylor away to his left.

The woodwork came to City’s rescue after 14 minutes when a cross from Emanuel picked out Feeney whose header beat Taylor but cannoned back off the post.

Jaidi became the first player to be yellow-carded three minutes later for bringing down Vine.

Taylor had to come racing out of his box to clear from Feeney as Luton continued to look the better side.

But after 32 minutes Birmingham went ahead against the run of play via Gary McSheffrey’s 14th goal since his £2.3million move from Coventry in August.

Stephen Kelly’s pass was back-heeled across the Luton box by Bendtner and fell to Cameron Jerome.

His attempted shot found its way to McSheffrey at the far post and, although Edwards blocked his first shot, he was on hand to make no mistake with his second attempt.

Luton deservedly got back on level terms a minute before the interval.

City failed to clear Langley’s inswinging free-kick and the ball eventually ricocheted to Vine who made no mistake with a rising shot past Taylor from close range.

There was little goalmouth action in the early stages of the second half but Luton were forced into a substitution after Markus Heikkinen was stretchered off after a challenge by Muamba.

His replacement Peter Holmes was instantly booked for chopping down Mehdi Nafti and Feeney was also yellow-carded for a reckless challenge on Mat Sadler.

Taylor clung on to a low drive from Feeney who then stunned the home side by putting Luton ahead with 13 minutes remaining via his first league goal in 2006.

Substitute Sol Davis, in only his second appearance since recovering from a stroke, played the pass to Feeney who checked inside before drilling a low shot past Taylor.

Kiely clung on to a late effort from Danns but the substitute salvaged a share of the spoils with seconds remaining.