Steve Fletcher was the hero as Cherries continued their fine away form – thanks to a last-gasp leveller from the club legend this afternoon.

First-half goals from Walsall duo Jon Macken and Andy Butler looked to have ended Cherries’ long unbeaten run on the road as the visitors struggled for long periods.

But Lee Bradbury’s play-off hopefuls hit back through a Michael Symes penalty before Fletcher rose highest to power home a fine cross from Simon Francis with just moments remaining.

It was harsh on the hosts – who had dominated much of the League One clash – but extended to 11 Cherries’ sequence without tasting a League One defeat away from Seward Stadium.

Cherries boss Bradbury made two changes to the team that defeated Wycombe – one tactical and the other enforced. New signing Steve Cook started in central defence, with Simon Francis reverting to right-back and Stephen Purches dropping to the bench. Left-back Warren Cummings replaced ankle injury victim Charlie Daniels.

The new-look defence immediately came under pressure as the Saddlers showed few signs of their recent run – just one league win in their past 11 matches – by producing a bright start.

In-form Cherries, aiming to continue their play-off push with a third consecutive victory, fired a warning shot when Wes Thomas struck a long-range drive into the side netting.

The visitors were calling for a sending off when Saddlers keeper Jimmy Walker, equalling the club’s all-time record with his 529th appearance, escaped with a yellow card following the game’s first major talking point.

Michael Symes released Marc Pugh and sliding to beat the Cherries winger to the ball, Walker appeared to handle outside his penalty area. But the veteran stopper received a caution rather than his marching orders – and Cherries’ woes were compounded when Walsall took a 15th-minute lead.

Macken was the man on target as the former Preston striker made no mistake from 10 yards, having been given far too much time and space to control and finish a low cross from Richard Taundry.

Walsall continued to dominate as Cherries were restricted to little more than counter attacks and rare advances into enemy territory.

Cherries could have found themselves further adrift as they received a big let-off 10 minutes before the interval.

After Jamie Paterson had twice failed to test Darryl Flahavan with earlier efforts, the left winger hit a low drive that forced the Cherries keeper to parry, with Mat Sadler only able to head the rebound against the crossbar.

At the other end, Harry Arter summed up Cherries’ first-half display by thumping an ambitious shot high into the Tile Choice Stand.

And there was still time for things to take another turn for the worse when Walsall capitalised on poor defending to make it 2-0. Cherries failed to deal with Taundry’s corner and after Alex Nicholls’s low shot had been cleared off the line, Saddlers captain Butler converted from close range.

Bradbury wasted little time in making a change and introduced Purches for Gregory at half-time.

Walker was eventually called into action when Symes shot straight at the experienced stopper from 20 yards on 47 minutes.

But he had no answer when Cherries finally found a route back into the contest in the 62nd minute.

The goal owed much to fine wing play by star man Pugh as he claimed a penalty. The skilful Lancastrian stormed past Lee Beevers and when the defender halted the Cherries man with a sliding challenge, referee Paul Tierney had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Symes stepped up and coolly completed the job.

Fletcher was brought off the bench, replacing Symes, as Cherries searched for an equaliser.

But the Dorset outfit continued to lack cutting edge and were fortunate not to concede a third when Francis blocked a Macken effort before Flahavan produced an exceptional reaction save to deny Nicholls.

However, there was more to come as the game reached a dramatic conclusion.

With time running out, Fletcher was perfectly placed to meet a right-wing delivery from Francis and the targetman made no mistake, thumping his header into the top corner to spark wild celebrations among the Cherries contingent.

Walsall: (4-4-2) Walker; Beevers, Butler, Smith, Sadler; Taundry, Chambers, Peterlin, Paterson (Halliday, 69); Macken (Gnakpa, 88), Nicholls. Unused subs: Jarvis, Grigg, Grof (g/k).

Booked: Walker, Beevers

Cherries: (4-4-2) Flahavan; Francis, Cook, Zubar, Cummings; Fogden, Gregory (Purches, h-t), Arter (Taylor, 85), Pugh; Symes (Fletcher, 74), Thomas. Unused subs: Baudry, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Cook, Fletcher

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)

Attendance: 3,658 (including 545 away supporters)