Hatters hold promotion-chasing Cherries to a stalemate

Luton picked up excellent point against promotion-chasing Bournemouth at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, although were left to rue the fact it hadn't been all three.

The visitors came into the game in excellent form, having put five past Huddersfield and four into Barnsley's net recently, but they were kept largely at arm's length for the majority of the game by a well-drilled Town side, only managing two shots on target.

It wasn't a backs-to-the-wall effort by any means from the Hatters either, who showed plenty of class themselves to create without doubt the two best chances of the affair, only to see Cherries keeper Asmir Begovic make one excellent stop.

Although they couldn't quite make it three home wins in succession, it was still most definitely a point gained by Nathan Jones' side following what has been an exhausting pre-Christmas schedule.

The Town boss made three changes to the side after the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening, with Danny Hylton starting a game for the first time since the 3-0 defeat against Brentford in October, Martin Cranie also back in alongside Luke Berry.

Harry Cornick and Matty Pearson dropped to the bench, joined by a fit-again Simon Sluga, with Glen Rea suspended.

With no fans allowed in once more following Bedfordshire going to tier three restrictions last week, with news of a tier four switch imminent during the second period, the visitors looked like a side who will be challenging for the title in the early stages, with some classy moves, Junior Stanislas curling a free kick straight at James Shea.

Town got to grips with their opponents and almost had some openings of their own, Berry's shot charged down, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu becoming more of an influence on proceedings, as the hosts' press started to pay dividends, beginning to win the ball back high up.

Collins won a free kick just outside the box on the angle after Sonny Bradley stepped in to keep Luton on the the front foot, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall seeing his attempt to catch out Begovic at his near post thwarted by the Bosnian.

Stanislas seemed intent on shooting from every free kick within range, slipping as he didn't get the direction right this time.

The Cherries always looked dangerous when they attacked with a front-line still contained a number of their Premier League squad from last season, Philip Billing, who scored twice against Luton in the FA Cup back in January, lifting an attempt over from inside the box.

It had looked like Hylton had finally ended his long wait for a goal and a first at Championship level with 35 minutes gone, as his firm and true left-footed daisycutter appeared destined for the bottom corner until Begovic stuck out a strong right hand to divert it away.

The keeper was called upon moments later again, although this time it was a more simple stop, comfortably gathering Bradley's header from a corner.

After the interval, Lewis Cook tried to break the deadlock from range, his skidding effort not troubling James Shea.

Luton were looking far more alert than they had at the Riverside in midweek, when a poor opening to the second period had proved crucial, Boro netting what turned out to be the winner.

The visitors created another decent opening when given too much space on the left to send over a cross that the ineffective Welsh international David Brooks put into the empty Kenilworth Road stand.

Bournemouth turned to their bench, introducing on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo Riquelme, but still were unable to create anything clear-cut, Dominic Solanke not connecting properly from a hanging cross.

Town were looking more and more like good value for a point, having the sporadic attack of their own as well, Dewsbury-Hall's fizzing drive always rising.

It was the same for Jefferson Lerma, but he went one better than the on-loan Leicester man, clearing the actual stand from 20 yards.

Riquelme looked a tricky customer when in possession, as he had a crack from range, Shea gathering well down low, also putting his header wide from 10 yards.

Late on, Town might have won it though, when Sam Nombe, thrown on for Collins, was sent through by Berry's incisive pass.

Under pressure from Steve Cook, he couldn't beat the sprawling Begovic, with Town's bench screaming he had been impeded.

In stoppage time, Town pushed again, with Dewsbury-Hall's low cross slid just over his own bar by Jack Simpson.

Had it been a few inches lower, Luton would have been celebrating a wonderful victory, but as it was, the stalemate was still another welcome point to their tally.

Hatters: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Dan Potts (Matty Pearson 90), Tom Lockyer, Sonny Bradley ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Danny Hylton (Harry Cornick 70), James Collins (Sam Nombe 89).

Subs not used: Simon Sluga, Joe Morrell, Brendan Galloway, Jordan Clark, George Moncur.

Cherries: Asmir Begovic, Steve Cook (C), Lloyd Kelly, David Brooks (Rodrigo Riquelme 69), Jefferson Lerma, Dominic Solanke, Adam Smith, Lewis Cook, Junior Stanislas (Sam Surridge 56), Jack Simspon, Phil Billing (Diego Rico 56).

Subs not used: Dan Gosling, Mark Travers, Gavin Kilkenny, Jaidon Anthony, Jordan Zemura, Ajani Burchall.

Bookings: Lerma 67, Dewsbury-Hall 82.

Referee: Dean Whitestone.