Allen joined Lennie Lawrence's Luton Town on loan in November 1997, and played seventeen games, scoring once against Bristol Rovers at Kenilworth Road. He did not feature for Forest once his three-month loan spell at Luton ended. Allen did not feature under either Bassett or Ron Atkinson in 1998–99, and was instead loaned out to Cardiff City in October. He appeared five times for Frank Burrows's Third Division promotion winning side. In March, he was transferred to Brian Horton's Port Vale, playing five games, scoring once against Stockport County; the "Valiants" avoided relegation on goals scored.