KAL Naismith’s dramatic late winner gave Luton Town all three points as Cherries were beaten 3-2 with virtually the final kick of the game.

An unfortunate own goal from Lloyd Kelly set the ball rolling for the Hatters at Kenilworth Road, before Allan Campbell’s strike from range doubled their advantage before the break.

Cherries pulled a goal back when Emiliano Marcondes headed in Jack Stacey’s cross.

And just two minutes after coming off the bench, Morgan Rogers turned in Jamal Lowe’s centre to make it 2-2.

The game seemed destined for a draw before Naismith slammed home the winner with seconds remaining.

Cherries boss Scott Parker made eight changes in total from last weekend’s FA Cup third-round victory at Yeovil, with Marcondes rewarded with a start following his hat-trick against the Glovers.

There was no Philip Billing or Robbie Brady in the squad, with the duo nursing knocks.

New signing James Hill made the matchday group after being named on the bench following his £1million move from Fleetwood.

Luton were playing their first league game since December 11, due to postponements.

Cherries saw the majority of possession during the opening 10 minutes and had the first shot on target.

Ryan Christie, on his return to the side, cut inside from the right and forced James Shea to gather a comfortable effort.

The Scotland international almost made it two goals in as many league games but was denied by the Hatters stopper again on 15 minutes.

A classy switch of play from Jaidon Anthony picked out the run of Christie, the Inverness-born winger forced Shea to get down and make a sharp, reaction stop.

Luton then offered a riposte. After a long throw was punched clear by Cherries keeper Mark Travers, he was then alert to deny Naismith’s fierce strike at the near post.

Marcondes then had his first sight at goal from a set-piece. After a foul at the edge of the box, the Dane’s whipped effort made Shea parry and grab at the second attempt.

But it was Luton who took the lead with a slice of fortune on 30 minutes.

After a cross from the right was flicked on to Elijah Adebayo at the back post, his low drive was thwarted by the foot of Travers, before rebounding off a covering Kelly and finding the net.

A moment of controversy then denied the Hatters a second. After a delivery into Cherries’ box was not fully dealt with – the ball fell to frontman Cameron Jerome to tap home.

But after Cherries protested with the assistant, claiming the ball had come off Adebayo with Jerome in an offside position, referee Leigh Doughty eventually ruled out the strike.

The hosts were not to be denied a second three minutes before the break, however. Midfielder Campbell drove towards goal and was allowed time to pick his spot and find the bottom corner.

Parker made no hesitation in changing things at the interval for Cherries. Anthony was replaced by Lowe.

The visitors pulled a goal back within six minutes of the second half. A sublime run from Stacey against his former club allowed him to burst into the box.

His precise cross found the head of Marcondes to power home for 2-1.

Cherries had their tails up. Marcondes’s corner was met by a leaping Jefferson Lerma, whose effort via a deflection was tipped onto the bar.

Leif Davis then intercepted a pass on the left and surged forward for Cherries, his cross was met by Christie, who could just not muster a meaningful effort when trying to gather.

Lewis Cook was then replaced by Rogers for Cherries with 14 minutes left, as the visitors chased a leveller.

And within two minutes of coming on, Rogers scored his first goal for Cherries to level up the game.

After Lowe found space to cut the ball back inside the box, the on-loan Manchester City youngster fired home via a touch from Shea.

Luton could have won it in the closing stages when Jordan Clark’s fierce strike was tipped over by Travers.

But, after Cherries dealt with an array of crosses in the final stages, the ball fell to Naismith who beat Travers from the edge of the box to send Cherries home defeated.

Hatters: Shea, Burke (Osho, 65), Naismith, Bradley, Bree, Mpanzu, Campbell (Onyedinma, 60), Bell, Clark, Adebayo, Jerome (Lansbury, 83).

Unused subs: Potts, Berry, Mendes Gomes, Sluga (g/k)

Booked: None.

Cherries: Travers, Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Davis, Lerma, Cook (Rogers, 76), Marcondes, Anthony (Lowe, h-t), Solanke, Christie.

Unused subs: Mepham, Pearson, Hill, Kilkenny, Nyland (g/k).

Booked: Lerma, Lowe.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.

Attendance: 9,641.