Albion boss Carlos Corberan had already been forced into two changes from the 0-0 home draw against Cardiff City by injury - but he opted to make two more in his frontline.
Without both Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair, Callum Styles came in for only his second start at left-back, allowing Torbjorn Heggem to move into the middle alongside Mason Holgate, making his first start since his August return to the club on loan from Everton.
Corberan also brought back club captain Jed Wallace and Karlan Grant higher up, in place of John Swift and Mikey Johnston.
Luton's two changes were both caused by the loss of Tom Holmes and Alfie Doughty through suspension following last Saturday's loss at Coventry, offering recalls at the back for Amari'i Bell and Teden Mengi.
Digesting the team news appeared the only thing of interest in a desperately poor first half lengthened by five minutes of injury time caused by a hold-up in play when there was concern about the health of a travelling er - a particularly poignant moment in the wake of the death of Albion fan Mark Townsend after he fell ill at Hillsborough just over a month ago.
But it was actually in the fourth minute of that added time when Albion scored - with their first moment of attacking endeavour.
Grant took on his marker, squared across a low left-foot and Maja, facing away from goal, cheekily flummoxed the Luton defence with a right-foot Cruyff flick that brushed Jordan Clark's ankle as it spun slowly into the unguarded bottom-right corner of the net.
Image source, PA Media
