NAISMITH’S KNEES-UP...
Jones: I crocked myself celebrating!
IAN BAKER
LUTON boss Nathan Jones admitted that he pulled his hamstring celebrating Kal Naismith’s dramatic late winner with a knee slide.
The Welshman ran on to the pitch after Naismith’s goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time had given his side all three points from a thriller with Bournemouth.
Luton were 2-0 up at the break thanks to a Lloyd Kelly own-goal and then Allan Campbell’s fine strike.
But promotion hopefuls Bournemouth looked to have turned the game on its head with second-half Emiliano Marcondes and Morgan Rogers efforts –only for the Hatters to nick it deep into added time.
Jones said: “It was such a wonderful way to win. It’s as good a win as we’ve had.
“I’ve done my hamstring in. I lost my head – emotions got the better of me.
“I’ve pulled it doing a knee slide! My glute, my hamstring and the lot will be on ice tonight! Either that or it will be immersed in red wine.
“This is a very special club. What a way to win the game, it was a wonderful moment.”
Luton striker Elijah Adebayo gave former England star Gary Cahill and the Bournemouth defence arguably their worst afternoon of the season.
Adebayo’s 30th-minute shot was saved by Mark Travers before Kelly deflected the rebound into his own net for his second own-goal against the Hatters this season.
There was some controversy six minutes later as Cameron Jerome fired home but the goal was disallowed for offside following Cherries complaints and a consultation between referee Leigh Doherty and linesman George Byrne.
That spurred Luton, who made it 2-0 on 42 minutes with Campbell’s first for the club – a fine 20-yard strike.
Bournemouth looked more like promotion contenders after the break though. They were back in it on 51 minutes as style and were rewarded for a Marcondes headed in from strong finish, when they Jack Stacey’s cross. might have fizzled out.
And they levelled 12 After a game of minutes from the end pinball, Naismith – on-loan Manchester blasted home low City star Rogers from the edge of the scored his first for the areas to spark scenes club, from Jamal Lowe’s of unbridled joy from cross, with only his the hosts – and despair second touch after coming on for the beaten visitors. as sub. But Luton reacted in Bournemouth manager Scott
Shea 6; Burke 6 (Osho 65, 6), Bradley 7, Naismith 8; Bree 6, Mpanzu 6, Clark 6, Campbell 7 (Onyedinma 60, 6), Bell 5; Adebayo 8, Jerome 7 (Lansbury 82). Subs not used: Potts, Berry, Sluga, Mendes Gomes.
Travers 6; Stacey 7, Cahill 5, Kelly 5, Davis 6; Cook 6 (Rogers 76, 7), Lerma 6, Marcondes 7; Christie 7, Solanke 6, Anthony 6 (Lowe 46, 7). Subs not used: Nyland, Mepham, Pearson, Hill, Kilkenny.
Elijah Adebayo. Made the first and gave Gary Cahill the runaround all afternoon. Leigh Doughty 5.
Parker (left) said: “That was devastating.
“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half. But I thought we were right in the ascendancy after showing unbelievable character and quality to get back in from being 2-0 down.
“I thought we had all the momentum with us.
“But it didn’t pan out like that. At that point the game becomes quite neutral, and then they score with literally the last kick of the game which is obviously devastating.”