OLE Gunnar Solksjaer is not the only stand-in boss pulling up trees.

League One’s version Mick Harford is steaming along just as merrily at the Luton helm.

Plonked in the hot-seat in January when Nathan Jones moved on to Stoke, the Hatters hero has maintained an unbeaten run that now spans an impressive 23 games.

Harford, who had two spells up front for Luton as a player, has overseen seven wins and three draws in his 10 league outings as interim boss.

It has extended an incredible record started off by Jones since they were last beaten at Barnsley on October 13.

At that time, Luton were in 10th spot and 11 points behind leaders Portsmouth. Saturday’s goalless draw at Plymouth may have trimmed their advantage at the top but Harford’s men now head the pile by three from Barnsley.

Back-to-back promotions look well on the cards although two stalemates in their last three games suggest Luton are maybe finding it a bit tougher now against opponents desperate for the bragging rights of ending that proud run.

Harford admitted: “It’s something we are aware of. You are top of the table and people do want to beat you.

“People want to win every game but it’s a good scalp for someone who beats the team that’s top.”

Luton were not happy with referee Darren Drysdale, an official with a chequered history from City games, after their Home Park stalemate.

Harford felt he was too easily influenced by the crowd after taking off striker Danny Hylton to save him from a red card.

It was also the first time that Luton had failed to score in the league since New Year’s Day as Plymouth keeper Matt Macey produced an inspired display.

Luton have not visited Valley Parade since a 1-1 draw in October 2008. The last time City beat them at home was in 1967.

To repeat that, they will have to muzzle 20-goal top scorer James Collins, who has just been called up by the Republic of Ireland.