CHERRIES skipper Tommy Elphick insists the long game is all that counts in the battle for bragging rights with old mate Lewis Grabban.

Norwich’s new frontman bagged his fifth goal in five Championship outings against his former employers but Callum Wilson’s equaliser snaffled Cherries a share of the spoils at Carrow Road.

Defensive linchpin Elphick played the starring role in a resolute display as the visitors kept at bay the much-fancied Canaries during the latter stages.

And after an even battle with a familiar foe, the Dean Court captain is aiming to reign supreme in the final standings rather than one-off matches.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: “Grabbs was very busy in the first half but we got hold of him and I thought we managed to nullify his threat as the game went on.

“It was a great ball for his goal and he got himself into the right area. He’s had one chance and taken it.

“He was the spearhead of our problems in the first half, we had to get more physical and push him up the pitch more, which was a risk because it left him room in behind.

“Grabbs is a great player. We knew we had to give him respect but they had plenty of other options.

“Wes Hoolahan pulled the strings in the first half and that put us under pressure at times.

“But we’ll see at the end of the season who wins the overall battle, it comes down to who finishes higher.”

On the overall display, Elphick added: “In the end the boys got hold of everyone, we stepped up our performance levels and came away with a positive result.

“The last 20 minutes was backs to the wall and that might overshadow some of the possession and the passing we put together, especially in the first half.

“It was a good all-round display. When you go to grounds like Norwich you’re going to come under some pressure and you have to see it out.”