On a chilly afternoon at Kenilworth Road, Town produced another stellar home performance to nullify the Cherries – who have lost just twice in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

Manager Nathan Jones made three changes to the starting line-up following the midweek defeat against Middlesbrough, including a first start for Danny Hylton since October.

Bournemouth made a bright start and controlled possession with plenty of neat, intricate passes but apart from Junior Stanislas’ free-kick that forced James Shea into a routine stop, there was little in terms of clear-cut chances.

The Hatters grew in confidence and put together some good moves of their own, also going closest with a free-kick. From a tight angle, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired his shot across goal but Asmir Begovic was equal to it.

Hylton had the most presentable chance of the first half, after Luke Berry slipped the ball into his path, but Begovic produced a superb save to deny the striker’s left-footed curler that looked destined for the bottom corner.

Town started the second period well and could have forged ahead before the hour mark. Dewsbury-Hall got down to the byline with good pace and strength, fizzed a low ball across the box but it went between Hylton and James Collins as a good opportunity went begging.

The Cherries had a good opportunity later in the half as Lloyd Kelly crossed deep for Dominic Solanke, but the ex-Liverpool forward couldn’t direct his header goalwards.

The majority of Town’s attacking threat came through Leicester loanee Dewsbury-Hall, who had his eyes set on a first Luton goal in the 80th minute, but his 20-yard strike whistled just over the crossbar.

Sam Nombe had a superb chance to win the game at the death just seconds after coming onto the pitch.

Berry played a well-timed ball through to the striker and his shirt was pulled just before shooting, as Begovic managed to foil his effort from close range.

There was almost even later drama as Jack Simpson almost turned Dewsbury-Hall’s cross into the back of his own net, but the resulting corner was cleared, and the referee blew for full-time.

The Hatters are back on the road Boxing Day when they travel to the Madejski Stadium to face eighth place Reading.

Town: Shea; Cranie, Lockyer, Bradley (C), Potts (Pearson 90), Norrington-Davies; Berry, Mpanzu, Dewsbury-Hall; Collins (Nombe 89), Hylton (Cornick 71).

Subs not used: Sluga, Tunnicliffe, Moncur, Clark, Galloway, Morrell.

Yellows: Dewsbury-Hall

Bournemouth: Begovic; Smith, Cook, Simpson, Kelly; Lerma, Cook, Billing (Rico 57); Brooks (Riquelme 69), Stanislas (Surridge 57); Solanke

Subs not used: Travers, Gosling, Kilkenny, Anthony, Zemura, Burchall

Yellows: Lerma

Referee: Dean Whitestone