The Dons took the lead through captain Alex Gilbey after 25 minutes as he eluded two Luton defenders then hit a fine curled half-volley from the right flank beyond Luton goalkeeper James Shea.

Luton equalised with 20 minutes remaining as Jordan Clark received Tudor Mendel’s pass then hit a low strike into the bottom corner.

But MK Dons won the match from the penalty spot in the 79th minute. George Johnston’s foul on Aaron Collins gave the hosts the penalty, and Collins beat Shea from the spot.

The home side held their nerve to grind out a first league win of the season, while Luton slumped to a third defeat in four outings.

Warne said: “When we went 1-0 up with a wonder strike, you’re thinking that you don’t often see them and it’s a good marker for being our day.

“When they equalised I thought we were playing alright at the time so I just encouraged the lads to keep going and there would probably be another chance. Fortunately, we got one.

“My overall feeling is relief because we’ve only lost one away from home and one at home.

“We’ve not been horrific but the league table would suggest we were one of the worst teams, so we needed a win, the fans needed a win and I appreciate them staying with us.

“It was very edgy because we all wanted it and if there’s something you want that much, it can affect your performance.

“When it gets back to 1-1, massive credit to the dressing room for staying positive.”

Jack Wilshere was left frustrated by what his Luton side offered as they were unable to make it back-to-back victories.

He said: “They didn’t have to do much in my opinion. First goal is a fluke or a situation where he’s probably trying to cross it and it goes in. The second was a penalty which was at a point when it felt like we were the only ones going to win the game and we didn’t. That’s a feeling of frustration.

“The chances were there and that’s why we’re so frustrated and I’m frustrated.

“We wanted to win the game as much as the fans did and probably the frustrating thing for them, for me, for us and all the players who are frustrated is that it feels like we’ve been here before where we’ve threatened to get a good away game, come to a game we should win in my opinion and we don’t.”