CHRIS Mepham praised Cherries' "professional performance" against Luton, adding "a cup run is always really important".

A Philip Billing brace as well as goals from Callum Wilson and Dominic Solanke guided Cherries past their Championship opponents with a 4-0 win in the FA Cup third round.

It brought to an end a run of four home games without a win for Eddie Howe's men, since beating Manchester United in November.

"It was really nice," Mepham told the Daily Echo.

"I thought it was a very good team performance. I think in those types of games you need to approach it with the right mentality and be very professional and I thought it was a very professional performance.

"On a personal note it was nice to get a clean sheet, haven’t had one in a while and the most important thing was the win."

Howe named a strong side for the clash, with all of the starting XI first-team regulars in recent weeks aside from Mark Travers and Andrew Surman, who came in for their first appearances since September.

Mepham said: "A game like that is a lot more important than people might think.

"Some teams for a cup game will put a weakened side out and rest players, but I think we’re in a position where a win will do a world of good for everyone.

"And the feeling in the changing room afterwards we need more often, getting everyone behind each other.

"We could celebrate in the changing room after and it was a really nice feeling."

He added: "I remember after the Chelsea game (1-0 win), the mood coming in on Monday was so different and that’s really important to get everyone really positive again because we’ve got a really important period coming up."

The draw for the fourth round takes place this evening.

"I think a cup run is always really important," said Mepham.

"You had players playing on Saturday that haven’t played in a while, so it’s a really good opportunity to show the manager why they should be in the team. I think everyone did that.

"It was a really professional performance. I think everyone gave 110 per cent."