ACADEMY boss Joe Roach praised Cherries’ young guns for their “terrific response” to their FA Youth Cup heartbreak following yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers.

Joe Quigley’s second-half equaliser saw Cherries extend to 10 games their unbeaten record in the south west division of the Football League Youth Alliance.

The rearranged clash, which was staged at Hallen, came just four days after Cherries had bowed out of the FA Youth Cup following a 3-2 extra-time defeat at the hands of Coventry City.

And while team manager Carl Fletcher had been fairly critical of Cherries’ display against the Sky Blues at Dean Court, Roach said the players had reacted in the correct fashion. He told the Daily Echo: “We saw the two extremes in the past two games and the response from the players was excellent against Bristol Rovers.

“Their attitude following the disappointment of Friday was fantastic. We were perhaps a little frustrated to only draw because Bristol Rovers probably got out of their own half on three occasions in the second half.

“Our attacking play and retention of the ball were really good. I don’t want to look back but it was just a shame we could not have applied some of that against Coventry.

“I don’t think the league we are in helps. We were totally dominant and had to try to break down a team which just wanted to sit in its own half. That was a little disappointing considering this is all about youth development.”

Quigley bagged his ninth goal of the season to restore parity 16 minutes from time following some excellent build-up play as Cherries maintained a commanding lead at the top of the table.

Roach added: “The pitch was really heavy so it was difficult. But, as a staff, we were really pleased with the way they went about business and put the disappointment of Friday behind them.

“Psychologically, the FA Youth Cup was always going to be a big call and always will be when you are playing on your first-team ground and in a competition you have had no exposure to. That has been the story of the past few seasons but we want to forget that now and keep looking at the league.

“Finishing top of the table would be a bonus but finishing in the top half would give us some good games in the Merit League after Christmas when we would encounter different and better opposition which has always been one of the aims for the season.”

Cherries: Stanton, Walker, Lee, Randall (Simpson, 81), Harfield, Worthington (Surridge, 76), Millar, Holmes (Butcher, 55), Neale, O’Connell, Quigley. Unused sub: Lander.