Bournemouth miss the chance to move into top two after draw with Millwall

Bournemouth surrendered the opportunity to move back into the automatic promotion places after they drew 1-1 at home to Millwall this evening.

Dominic Solanke gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half time only for sub Matt Smith to come off the bench and rescue a point for Gary Rowett’s side.

The home side started the game in the front foot and were nearly rewarded for their endeavour inside four minutes. David Brooks went on a a mazy run thanks to some nice, quick feet which brought him in on goal, but he sent an effort goalwards but Bartosz Bialkowski was there to send it behind for a corner.

After the fast start from the home side, Millwall responded by controlling possession but they were unable to do much with their dominance and failed to test Asmir Begovic in the early stages.

Jason Tindall’s side continued to play on the front foot and were through with Solanke who laid it off to Junior Stanislas but the Cherries number 19 saw his shot blocked by Alex Pearce and go out for a corner.

The Lions’ best chance of the half came when Jed Wallace was played through one on one with Begovic but the Bosnian international made himself big to make a stunning save to keep the two sides locked goalless.

Just before the break, the visitors were awarded a free kick in a great position, just outside the box which Wallace took and forced Begovic into another fine save before the loose ball was followed up by Scott Malone who’s effort hit the side netting.

Bournemouth’s quality eventually showed in added time. Nice link up play between Solanke and Stanislas brought the ball back to the former Liverpool man who hit the ball goalwards, beating ex Southampton goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski at his near post to send the Cherries into the break a goal to the good.

It was Bournemouth who had control of the game in the early moments of the second half, using their possession well, whilst also limiting the away sides to very few opportunities of note, being really solid and offering Troy Parrott and Kenneth Zohore very little to take advantage of as the game grew.

The first chance of the second half came for Tottenham loanee Parrott who was picked out by Ryan Leonard in the box but Cherries’ captain Steve Cook got down brilliantly to make a superb block.

Millwall continued to pile on the pressure and had a great opportunity to find a way back into the game from a free kick. Zohore hit it under the wall but his effort struck the post with Begovic beaten.

The away side’s resistance was rewarded with twelve minutes to go. Jake Cooper won a flick on which he sent into the box which was met by sub Smith who scored with his first touch after coming on.

Josh King, fresh from scoring a brace in the FA Cup, came on for the last ten minutes and had an opportunity to win it, working some space in the box but his effort went just wide of the target as the home side were forced to settle for a point.

Bournemouth are back in action on Saturday when they host Luton Town, while the Lions’ next game sees them travel to the Midlands to face Nottingham Forest.

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