SCOTT Parker saluted referee Leigh Doughty and his assistants for dealing with the “intense” nature of Cherries’ trip to Luton on Saturday.

The officials were tasked to manage a controversial moment during the 36th minute at Kenilworth Road, when Cameron Jerome turned home for the Hatters following a melee in the box.

After Cherries’ protests, referee Doughty consulted his assistant. They eventually deciphered the ball had hit Luton’s Elijah Adebayo on its way to Jerome, who was in an offside position and chalked off the effort.

That meant Luton continued to lead 1-0 at the time, eventually going on to triumph 3-2 thanks to Kal Naismith’s last-gasp winner.

Asked about the incident, in which Cherries goalkeeping coach Rob Burch was booked for his protests, Parker told the Daily Echo: “I’ve not seen it back but everything I am being told was that it was offside.

“I thought the referee and the officials were superb. I honestly do. The way they managed the game, in a very difficult stadium, it was intense and both teams desperate to win.

“I thought the whole process and proceedings which took place after that goal diffused the situation, which was obviously heated.

“And they got to the right decision, so full credit to them.

“These guys haven’t got VAR, they’ve not got an opportunity for someone else to look at it and make decisions.

“They need to have cool heads in those moments and I thought the way the way they executed that – and seemed to get to the right decision by what everyone was telling me – was brilliant.”

Luton boss Nathan Jones added: “Had the disallowed goal been given I don’t think we’d have gone to score what turned out to be our second goal a few moments after because the chain of events would’ve been different.

“The decision they arrived at was the correct one. I’m glad it wasn’t given in hindsight because otherwise everyone would’ve been talking about a goal we scored that shouldn’t have been given.

“We’ve won the game by scoring three very legitimate goals.”