Neal Ardley saluted David Connolly after his injury-time winner earned AFC Wimbledon a 3-2 win over League Two high-fliers Luton Town.

Connolly came off the bench at the CRRS to settle an enthralling encounter, rounding Hatters keeper Elliot Justham to slot home at the death.

Alfie Potter and Dannie Bulman had given the Dons a two-goal first-half lead before Jayden Stockley pulled one back for the Hatters before the break.

Substitute Elliot Lee levelled in the second half before 37-year-old Connolly bagged his first goal since signing from Portsmouth in January.

Ardley said: "He's had a tough year, Dave, with being frozen out at Portsmouth. It's tough for somebody who's had such a fantastic career and is such a great player.

"He's a thinker and he doesn't want to let anyone down. I'm delighted for him, that put a smile on his face.

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Chance: Adebayo Akinfenwa's shot is parried by Luton Town keeper Elliot Justham

"He's an unbelievable, breathtaking finisher in training. The boys have got so much respect for him. They watch him in training, his standards, and they love it."

Dons looked to be heading for a point before Connolly's late intervention, but they took control in an excellent first-half display.

Potter opened his Dons account on 28 minutes, snaffling up the rebound when Justham saved Adebayo Akinfenwa's shot.

And three minutes before half-time, Bulman's 25-yard piledriver whistled into the top corner.

Stockley's finish gave Luton hope, and a rejuvenated Hatters got the equaliser their pressure deserved when Lee steered his shot past James Shea.

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Forward thinking: Sean Rigg gets away from the Luton Town midfield

But  Dons rallied, and Connolly seized on Akinfenwa's flick before beating Justham to spark delirium in the home crowd.

"I think in the first half we were absolutely brilliant. They couldn't live with us," said Ardley.

"All in all, is the club, is the squad, is the academy and are the U21s the best it's been?

"Yeah, it is. Last season we struggled to score goals. This season I think we're good value for money as far as entertainment goes."

Dons are back in action tomorrow night [Tuesday] at Cambridge United.

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