In the battle of the two unlikely towns chasing a Premier League spot, goals from Jonathan Russell and Naby Sarr helped Huddersfield climb back up to third.
Victory moved them only four points off a stuttering Bournemouth in second, albeit having played two games more, but more importantly six points clear in the battle for a play-off spot.
With many others in the Championship looking on enviously in a game of real significance, Huddersfield began purposefully and Danel Sinani’s effort was pushed behind by Luton goalkeeper James Shea.
Then the visitors had a couple of fortunate escapes. First, striker Elijah Adebayo, back defending a corner, was inches away from heading one into his own net. Then Sorba Thomas’s volley caused pinball in the area, and ended in the hands of a relieved Shea, who was already on the floor.
Luton took a while to warm up and when they did, seasoned campaigner Robert Snodgrass, just on as a substitute for the injured Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, fed Harry Cornick, whose shot was parried by Lee Nicholls.
Then with the visitors regrouping as Henri Lansbury limped off just before the hour, they fell asleep at a throw-in and did not pick up Russell as he made his way into the area. From there, the former Chelsea youngster produced the perfect lob over Shea into the far side of the net.
Having fallen behind to Russell’s goal, Luton’s golden chance to equalise arrived from the penalty spot after James Bree was pushed over by Sinani.
But Adebayo’s penalty was poor as he scuffed it against the outside of the post. After that, all hell broke loose as Kal Naismith pushed over Lewis O’Brien in the follow through and suddenly everyone was involved, with referee Geoff Eltringham eventually dishing out three yellows.
However, substitute Sarr’s late header made sure of the points heading into the vital Easter weekend double-header.