CHERRIES were left to rue missed chances as an opportunist strike from Brighton’s Ashley Barnes ensured the spoils were shared in the early kick-off at Dean Court.

Goalscorer Matt Ritchie was at the hub of a much improved display from Eddie Howe’s men with Seagulls unable to contain their hosts following the returning winger’s blistering first-half strike.

However, the visitors, more comfortable in possession without offering much attacking impetus, grabbed their equaliser 10 minutes after the restart and survived another spell of Cherries pressure before stifling the game late on.

Howe made three changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Derby seven days ago with fit-again Ritchie and Ryan Fraser starting on the flanks while Harry Arter made a welcome return in central midfield.

Marc Pugh and Shaun MacDonald dropped to the bench and Lewis Grabban was ill, but the biggest boost for Cherries fans prior to kick-off was the news that centre-half Steve Cook had recovered from injury after being stretchered off last week.

Meanwhile, the visitors made one change from their victory at Wigan Athletic with Inigo Calderon replacing the suspended Bruno Saltor at right-back.

Fraser and Ritchie immediately justified their inclusion by setting a snappy tempo from the outset with diminutive Scot Fraser not giving the panicky Calderon a moment of peace.

The wee man teamed up with Daniels to find Pitman who swiveled and hooked towards goal in the 16th minute but his overhead effort was comfortably held by Brighton stopper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Albion passed the ball well but rarely opened up Cherries before Calderon volleyed over the crossbar midway through the first half after a tidy exchange in the penalty area.

Cherries remained on top with the game gathering pace as Pitman glanced wide Francis’ centre before, at the other end, a harmless looking ball was picked up by Brighton’s top scorer Andrew Crofts who drew a smart block from Lee Camp from an acute angle.

But as the anticipation built alongside the home side’s pressure, the opener duly arrived on 29 minutes.

Jake Forster-Caskey unfairly ended Ritchie’s direct run just outside the penalty area but the lively winger dusted himself down to blast past the helpless Kuszczak from the resultant free kick following Charlie Daniels’ delicate lay-off.

Cherries nearly doubled their tally two minutes later when Fraser’s inswinging centre found Ritchie whose scrambled effort beaten away by Kuszczak at point-blank range before Fraser picked up the recycled ball and drifted a fizzing shot wide of the far post with Brighton’s custodian beaten.

The hosts’ menacing display continued with a collection of infringements missed by man in the middle Jon Moss, but when Cherries were eventually awarded another free kick Ritchie was inches from repeating his trick as Craig Conway’s deflection saw the effort bounce fractionally wide of Kuszczak’s left upright.

Liam Bridcutt entered the action at half-time as Brighton tried to get one of their few shining lights from the first half, Rohan Ince, involved further up the pitch.

But it was Cherries whose purple patch continued when that man Ritchie took a raking midfield pass in his stride before threading a sumptuous ball for Pitman who was thwarted at close quarters by Kuszczak while Arter blasted over from the resultant corner.

However, there was a sting in the tail when Barnes came short for Calderon’s throw before turning Cook and unleashing an unstoppable left foot drive across Lee Camp on 55 minutes.

Cook leapt well to meet Pitman’s delicate free kick on the hour but powered his header wide of the far post despite being handily placed.

The game steadily settled down as the visitors saw more of the ball and their patient approach nearly paid dividends with 20 minutes to play.

Conway rode a challenge from Francis before exploiting space down Cherries’ right but his low centre ran harmlessly across the face of goal.

Despite the rip-roaring tempo of the first half being somewhat stifled, Ritchie still aided Cherries’ attempts to get on the front foot, spreading the play to substitute Marc Pugh whose left-wing cross was marginally too high for fellow replacement Thomas.

Pitman flashed shot whistled past the post before Ritchie’s awkward effort saw Kuszczak play it safe and concede a corner with 15 minutes left but Brighton successfully weathered the brief storm. 

Goalkeeper Camp survived a fractious moment with Barnes in the closing 10 minutes which saw the Seagulls striker hit the deck towards the end of the action.

Cherries saw a handball shout waved away during a bout of penalty area pinball in the latter stages but there was to be no winner from a keenly-contested clash which the hosts could have took greater control of before the break.

Match facts

Cherries: Camp, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, O’Kane, Arter, Ritchie, Pitman, Fraser (Pugh, 71), Rantie (Thomas, 67).

Unused subs: Harte, Yennaris, Surman, MacDonald, Flahavan (g/k).

Goal: Ritchie, 29.

Brighton: Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Upson, Ward, Ince (Andrews, 68), Crofts, Forster-Caskey (Bridcutt, h-t), Lopez (Orlandi, 65), Barnes, Conway.

Unused subs: Lita, El-Abd, Agustien, Ankergren (g/k).

Goal: Barnes, 55.

Booked: Upson.

Attendance: 9,870 (including 1,341 visiting supporters).

Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).