A much-changed Luton side got the better of VAR but not Premier League Bournemouth as they battled valiantly but crashed out of the FA Cup on the wrong end of a harsh scoreline.
The Hatters fell behind early to Philip Billing’s first and survived a Dominic Solanke second thanks to the Video Assistant Referee, which then benefitted them to confirm a penalty.
But Alan Sheehan slipped and missed after Harry Cornick had squandered a golden chance and from there it was always an uphill challenge, despite the nine changes holding out until the 67th minute when Callum Wilson, Billing and Solanke ended their interest in the FA Cup.
Town fans would’ve feared the worst when Billing volleyed the Cherries into an early lead and then Solanke thought he’d finally broke his goalscoring duck exactly one year after signing from Liverpool.
But in a piece of Hatters history, the goal went for review the Video Assistant Referee Adam Nunn who had the easiest task of ruling Harry Wilson offside as the former Liverpool forward glanced a header in from a corner. Solanke would go on to find the net, but Town immediately rallied and should have levelled.
Cornick, back on his hometown turf, intercepted a Billing pass but, faced with a dreaded one-one-one, he fluffed his lines and aimed too close to keeper Mark Tavers.
The visitors grew into the game and then got another favour from VAR as Billing tripped Matty Pearson in the penalty box. Referee Darren England immediately pointed to the spot and after a nervous wait, Mr Nunn upheld the decision.
Captain Sheehan stepped up but, in echoes of David Beckham for England against Portugal in Euro 2004, he slipped at the vital moment and scooped the ball onto the cross bar.
Town should have led at the break but they equipped themselves well after the restart. Yet their resistance crumbled on 67 minutes when Bournemouth brought on England international Callum Wilson and he scored with his first touch after Sheehan and Lloyd Jones let Harry Wilson slip past them to square for the striker who could not miss from close range.
Simon Sluga could do nothing to prevent Bournemouth’s third as Billing’s long range effort took a huge deflection off debutant Donervon Daniels, who otherwise impressed and earned a song or two from the travelling Hatters.
It was harsh on the Hatters but it got worse when substitute James Bree smashed a clearance into Pearson and Daniels with the ricochet landing at the feet of Solanke who passed into the net despite a desperate dive from Sluga.
They didn’t deserve the scoreline but it was yet another lesson in what happens at the highest levels when you do not take your chances.
Now Town, have no distractions as they look to fashion a Championship relegation great escape.
