Bournemouth 6 Luton Town 3

Last updated : 21 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Brian Stock got off the substitutes bench to score twice as Bournemouth and Luton served up a thrilling nine-goal romp.

Long-serving striker Steve Fletcher also scored twice as brave Luton scored three away and still lost heavily.

Bournemouth were already 2-1 down when Stock came on for the injured Marcus Browning after 32 minutes.

Fletched had given Bournemouth an early lead with a powerful header, but his effort was cancelled out by a Steve Purches own goal and an individual effort from Paul Hughes.

But then Stock took over and within two minutes the Welsh under-21 international had levelled for Bournemouth with a free-kick from the edge of the area.

Rattled Luton, let in two more before the break, with Gareth O'Connor heading in his first of the season after 42 minutes and Fletcher getting another in injury time.

Luton never gave up and gave their travelling fans real hope after 58 minutes when Adrian Forbes was unmarked when he headed in the centre from Courtney Pitt.

But Bournemouth were in top form and Stock restored the two-goal lead with a fine run and left-foot shot in the 62nd minute.

Fletcher, who had never scored a hat-trick in 13 years as a professional, set up Wade Elliott with a header across goal in the 65th minute as Bournemouth purged into an unassailable lead.

There might have been more goals in the pulsating match with Warren Feeney bringing an outstanding save from Rob Beckwith, while James Hayter went close with a low shot in the first half.

For Luton, Kevin Foley shot narrowly wide as both sides found defending on a pitch, freshened by rain, difficult.

Hughes was booked for a foul towards the end as both sides tired, Russell Perrett and Carl Fletcher were also cautioned, but both teams deserved their standing ovation from the crowd at the end.