Bournemouth took a point from Kenilworth Road, but didn't find hardly any swagger in this game which was scrappy and a bit of a slog. Luton gave Bournemouth plenty to think about and might have gone ahead but for Begovic's great save from Hylton in the first half. Bournemouth made subs second half, but the game drifted towards stalemate with quality lacking in front of goal.
Bournemouth made no changes to the line-up, but Benjamin Burchall was back on the subs bench. Josh King was said by BBC Radio Solent's Kris Temple to be out of the squad because of a recurrence of a back injury.
The Cherries attacked well early on with Junior Stanislas having the first shot from outside the box from a free kick that Shea had to save in the fourth minute. Bournemouth won a corner as early as the fifth minute. Luton threatened with a block shot from Luke Berry before Bournemouth saw Billing have a shot that just went past the left post.
Luton won their first corner on 12 minutes. Dewsbury-Hall forced a good save from Begovic on 21 minutes as the home team built up some control.
Bournemouth went close having won a corner and Stanislas' delivery found Solanke who headed wide from close range and Billing was unable to get to the ball at the far post. Lerma became more influential having a shot blocked before he was fouled and Stanislas' direct free kick shot went high to the left of goal.
Lloyd Kelly then shot up the wing and Stanislas crossed with the ball coming out to Billing, but the midfielder shot over from 10-yards and the centre of the box.
After a corner conceded by Steve Cook, Begovic made an outstanding save to keep the scores level as Hylton looked to curl one into the top corner. A header from Sonny Bradley was then saved by Begovic. Bournemouth were not having it all their own way.
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Junior Stanislas and Lewis Cook both saw attempts blocked before half-time with the score remaining goalless.
Having only has one shot on target, AFCB had to lift their game in the second half. Bournemouth took a corner with Brooks finding Lewis Cook who shot wide from distance.
Surridge and Rico replaced Billing and Stanislas as the Cherries looked to change things up. Brooks then attempted a header on 59 minutes that was wide. Bournemouth were finding it hard going and Lerma was booked.
Riquelme replaced Brooks on 68 minutes. Hylton replaced Harry Cronick on 70 minutes. Bournemouth blocked a shot from Collins, before Dewsbury-Hall hit a shot over the bar on 80 minutes.
Lewis Cook was fouled by Dewsbury-Hall, who saw yellow. Bournemouth pressed on with Surrdige having a shot blocked and Lerma shooting wide.
The Cherries came close again when Adam Smith won a free kick and Riquelme's shot from the middle of the penalty box was saved. Rico's late cross also saw Riquelme head wide. Collins was then subbed for Sam Nombe to come on.
In the six minutes of added time, Pearson came on for Potts.
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Summary
A hard away game for the Cherries. With just two shots on target, Bournemouth didn't trouble the Luton keeper enough and although the clean sheet is welcome with Begivic again coming to the rescue, Tindall will be well aware that Bournemouth are dropping back from Norwich and the away form is not as strong as it might be.
Luton Town
1 Shea 2 Cranie, 15 Lockyer, 5 Bradley, 3 Potts (Pearson 90+1), 22 Dewsbury-Hall, 8 Berry, 19 Collins (Nombe 88), 17 Mpanzu, 24 Norrington-Davies, 9 Hylton
4 Tunnicliffe, 6 Pearson, 7 Cornick, 12 Sluga, 14 Moncur, 18 Clark, 23 Galloway, 27 Nombe, 28 Morrell
I dont think the pitch helped either side. That was definitely a factor a throwback to years gone by in terms of a surface
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