GLENN Murray scored and later missed a penalty as Cherries were held to a 1-1 draw by Watford at the Vitality Stadium.

In a clash in which supporters paid tribute to the late Mick Cunningham, Murray nodded home his first goal for Cherries in the first half before keeper Artur Boruc’s mistake allowed Odion Ighalo to level just before the break.

Etienne Capoue’s foul on Adam Smith appeared to have handed the hosts the initiative late on but Murray’s spot-kick was well-saved by Heurelho Gomes.

Boss Eddie Howe made two changes to the Cherries side that had lost at Stoke with Murray handed his first start in place of the injured Callum Wilson, while Joshua King was preferred to Lee Tomlin in a second switch to the frontline.

Watford’s starting XI showed one change with left-back Nathan Ake brought in for Jose Manuel Jurado, with Ikechi Anya shifting into a more advanced left-midfield role.

King created a dangerous moment inside three minutes when he powered away from Craig Cathcart and Ake down the right before seeing his fizzing cross gathered by keeper Gomes.

Moments later, Matt Ritchie’s tenacious run and right-footed cross afforded Murray a decent chance at the back stick but the frontman’s header dropped agonizingly onto the roof of the net.

Cherries continued to build pressure with Ritchie’s free-kick well-fielded by Gomes, while King’s venomous shot was charged down by Cathcart.

Serious attacking forays from the visitors were thin on the ground but Sylvain Distin was required to block from Etienne Capoue on the edge of the box, while Marc Pugh’s off-target shot was stopped by Gomes at the other end.

A minute short of the half hour, Cherries took the lead. Simon Francis and Ritchie, who had threatened regularly, combined once more and Ritchie’s in-swinging cross was guided expertly into the far corner by the head of Murray.

Cherries appeared to be cruising into the break before Boruc’s error gifted Watford an equaliser. After receiving the ball from Distin, Boruc’s attempted return pass to the Frenchman was easily cut out by Ighalo and the striker left Boruc on the deck before slotting into the empty net.

Seemingly undeterred, the hosts began the second period in positive fashion and Murray headed weakly at Gomes from Francis’s arching cross.

Back came Watford and Ighalo’s industry forced a corner from which Andrew Surman headed high into the air, Ben Watson crashing the attempted clearance against the crossbar on the half-volley.

Club stalwart Cunningham was warmly honoured in the 55th minute with applause flooding the Vitality Stadium, while a large section of the crowd chanted his name.

During that minute, Capoue diverted wide a tame header and not long after, Watson’s hopeful drive from range was cleared to safety.

Boruc was called upon to make a fine save after Anya had been threaded through by Almen Abdi, the stopper blocking with his legs from the Scotland international.

A Murray effort was kept out by Gomes and soon after, Ighalo was adamant he should have had a penalty after going to ground with Distin and Dan Gosling in close attendance, referee Michael Oliver ignoring his pleas.

Chances continued to flow for Cherries with Murray stretching to head off-target following neat work by Smith and Francis.

And Gomes extended himself superbly to parry to safety a wonderful overhead kick from Steve Cook after the defender had been teed up by Gosling.

At the other end, Capoue appeared to have fouled Murray in the box but a matter of seconds later the Watford man was judged to have brought down substitute Smith, with Murray’s penalty beaten away by Gomes.

There was still time for O’Kane to try his luck before Abdi’s speculative free-kick drifted just wide of the left upright, the scoreline remaining locked at 1-1.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Pugh (Smith, 57), King (O’Kane, 70), Murray.

Unused subs: Bennett, Cargill, Tomlin, Kermorgant, Federici (g/k).

Booked: Murray.

Watford: Gomes, Nyom (Ibarbo, 70), Prodl, Cathcart, Ake, Capoue, Watson, Abdi (Guedioura, 90), Deeney, Anya (Paredes, 79), Ighalo.

Unused subs: Britos, Diamanti, Dyer, Arlauskis (g/k).

Booked: Gomes.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Attendance: 11,187 (including 1,345 away supporters).