Luton Town 3-2 Bournemouth: Cherries beaten by late Kal Naismith goal

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Allan Campbell scores for LutonImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Allan Campbell's goal was his first since scoring for Motherwell in a Scottish FA Cup tie in April

Bournemouth suffered a setback in their push for promotion as Kal Naismith's added-time goal gave Luton victory in a dramatic finish at Kenilworth Road.

Scott Parker's side, one point clear at the top of the Championship at kick-off, fell behind to an own goal by Lloyd Kelly, the ball ricocheting in off his shin after Mark Travers saved with his feet from Elijah Adebayo.

Luton doubled their lead when midfielder Allan Campbell beat Travers from 20 yards for his first goal for the club.

Bournemouth asserted themselves after the break as Emiliano Marcondes headed home Jack Stacey's cross before Morgan Rogers levelled by firing into the roof of the net just moments after coming on as a substitute.

But last January's free transfer signing Naismith then snatched victory in the seventh minute of stoppage time with a stunning, swerving left-foot strike.

The defeat was only Bournemouth's third away from home in the league and the three points lifted Luton up to 13th, pending the results of later kick-offs.

The visitors had looked confident in possession from the outset, with Ryan Christie forcing James Shea to an early one-handed save from Jaidon Anthony's angled ball into the box.

But they were hustled out of their stride by Luton, who took the lead through Kelly's own goal after Sonny Bradley had flicked on a cross to the impressive Adebayo.

The referee initially awarded them a second when Cameron Jerome side-footed into the net after Bournemouth failed to clear a corner, but changed his mind after consulting his assistant.

The Hatters - who had not played a league game since 11 December - were not to be denied, though, and Naismith bisected Bournemouth's defence with a pass to Campbell, who fired home as the defenders backed off.

Jefferson Lerma curled a 25-yarder just wide in response to give a warning of what Bournemouth are capable of and the second half was only five minutes old when Stacey cut in from the right and Marcondes outjumped Jordan Clark to reduce the deficit.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Emiliano Marcondes heads home seven days after scoring a hat-trick against Yeovil in the FA Cup

Luton lost Campbell and Reece Burke to knocks and while they were readjusting the Cherries pounced to level, Jamal Lowe cutting back to Rogers and the Manchester City loanee emphatically driving home his first senior goal.

The home side refused to buckle and although Travers tipped over a fierce effort from Clark, he could not deny former Wigan Athletic winger Naismith, who collected a loose ball just outside the box, and picked his spot with a superb left-foot strike which swerved beautifully just inside the left corner.

Luton manager Nathan Jones:

"These and Fulham, they're the best two sides in the league, so to do what we did, I thought we were full value for our win.

"We created more problems, especially first half, and then we finished with real intent to win a football match and that's what happened.

"We were always going to lack a bit of energy second half because we haven't played but the goals are poor. We should defend better.

"But to then show the character that we did is amazing, as we were the ones pushing late on to win. And it was a wonderful way to win against a very, very, very good side."

Bournemouth boss Scott Parker:

"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half going two goals down, one an own goal, another one from 30 yards - the boy's hit a great strike.

"Second half, we showed unbelieve character, quality, the subs coming on made a difference and we get ourselves to 2-2.

"After 2-2, I thought we were right in the ascendancy, I thought we had the momentum with us, but it didn't pan out like that really. At that point the game became quite neutral and then they scored with literally the last kick which is obviously devastating.

"I'm not sure we did enough to win the game, but certainly I didn't think we deserved to lose it."

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