DELIGHTED Eddie Howe watched Jeff Goulding boost Cherries’ promotion hopes with a potentially priceless strike and then praised the forward’s attitude.

Substitute Goulding earned Cherries a last-gasp point in the League Two promotion showdown at Meadow Lane last night.

The former non-league frontman struck his first goal of the season with a fine volley deep into injury time to secure a deserved 2-2 draw against Notts County.

Cherries trailed to Lee Hughes’s 22nd-minute opener but top scorer Brett Pitman equalised five minutes into the second half with a free-kick.

Hughes looked to have sealed a victory for Magpies when he headed home a cross from County playmaker Ben Davies.

But Cherries were not to be denied and again fought back, with their spirited finish rewarded when Goulding fired home to keep the Dorset outfit in second spot.

Howe said: “Jeff has been really patient and has worked ever so hard. He has always shown a good attitude – even when he has not been in the team – and I think that was his reward because he has stuck at it.

“I thought he was bright when he came on and, technically, he is very good. He showed that with the finish because it was a great strike.”

Howe added: “I thought we deserved it and I thought we were excellent in the second half.

“I am really pleased with the point.

“It keeps us in a good position and it might be an important point come the end of the season.

“To come here and perform like we did gives us belief. The players need to take that on now.”