Substitute Claude Gnakpa hit an extra time winner as bottom of the League Luton produced a fairy tale finale to lift the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against the odds.

Up against a Scunthorpe side chasing promotion to the Championship, the Hatters were the clear underdogs.

But the team who started the season with a 30-point deduction put their relegation worries to one side to come from behind and claim a dramatic victory.

Frenchman Gnakpa, a close season signing from Peterborough, hit the all-important goal five minutes into extra time of a scintillating contest that was a huge credit to the lower divisions.

Scunthorpe, losers in what was their first ever major Cup final, may have the consolation of a return to Wembley for the League 1 Play-Off Final.

But for the happy Hatters it was a glory, glory day to brighten what has been a tremendously difficult season.

They gave as good as they got throughout a Final whose power shifts were signalled in an opening 10-minute spell that might have brought a goal for either side.

Scunthorpe midfielder Matt Sparrow's 18 yard drive was well saved by goalkeeper Dean Brill, then at the other end keeper Joe Murphy had to make a goal line block from Martin's close range toe-poke following a Kevin Nicholls corner.

The Iron went ahead in the 14th minute, prolific striker Gary Hooper racing on to a headed pass from strike partner Paul Hayes to expertly fire home his 30th goal of the season with a low 20 yard shot.

Five minutes later the lead would have been doubled but for brilliant defending by captain Nicholls, who headed over the bar an Henri Lansbury drive that was flying towards the top corner of the net.

Brill then had to dive to keep out a good effort by left back Marcus Williams.

But the Hatters hit back to equalise through on-loan Norwich City striker Chris Martin, who met a 32nd minute cross from Tom Craddock to drive into the penalty area and guide the ball past Murphy.

As play continued to swing from end to end, Sparrow sent a 30 yard drive just wide then Luton right back Micky Spillane had a header saved by Murphy.

The second half continued in similar vein, though there were no early scares at either end apart from Scunthorpe central defender David Mirfin's close range effort that went just wide following a Sparrow corner.

The game took a dramatic twist in the 70th minute, however, Martin crossing from the left and midfielder Asa Hall turning the ball back for striker Tom Craddock to put the Hatters in front with a 20 yard shot that flew just inside the near post.

The Iron went desperately close to equalising 10 minutes from time, when substitute Martyn Woolford crossed for Lansbury to hit an eight yard snap shot against the bar.

But they drew level two minutes from the end of normal time as midfielder Grant McCann curled a glorious 20 yard shot beyond the despairing dive of Brill and into the far corner.

There was no let-up in the pace of the game as play moved into extra time, both goals coming under threat before Gnakpa restored Luton's lead with a lob over Murphy after the keeper and Williams had hesitated in trying to deal with midfielder Keith Keane's lofted 95th minute through-ball.

Scunthorpe worked desperately hard for another equaliser and went close when Lansbury's 112th minute cross shot flew across the face of goal.

But they were unable to force the game into a penalty shoot-out and it was the Hatters who took the plaudits at the end of one of the best finals in the Trophy's 26-year history.

Luton Town (4-5-1): Brill; Spillane, Asafu-Adjaye, Pilkington, Emanuel; Keane, Nicholls, Hall, Keane, Martin; Craddock (Gnakpa 85).

Substitutes not used: Button, Davis, Roper, Parkin.

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2): Murphy; Byrne, Pearce (Wright 85), Mirfin, Williams; Lansbury, Sparrow (Woolford 77), McCann, Hurst (Togwell 64); Hooper, Hayes.

Substitutes not used: Lillis, May.