COACH Stephen Purches rued a lack of punch in the final third as Cherries' development squad were held to a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.

Ryan Allsop, Elliott Ward, Miles Addison and Mohamed Coulibaly turned out as the second string shared the spoils in the Final Third Development League South.

In a nip-and-tuck encounter played out in difficult conditions, experienced centre-half Ward notched 32 minutes into his fourth appearance for Purches's team since returning from long-term injury.

Pompey midfielder Nigel Atangana levelled before half-time with neither side able to capitalise on opportunities after the interval.

Wideman Mason Walsh flashed wide for Cherries during the opening exchanges, while Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin chanced his arm without success at the other end.

Cherries midfielder Aly Coulibaly drew a close-range save from Alex Bass but the visitors were not to be denied as Ward rifled home a low shot from Sam Matthews's centre.

The joy was short lived as former Poole Town loanee Jack Maloney teed up Atangana to level before half-time and Cherries keeper Ryan Allsop prevented Pompey from taking the lead with a fine stop from Chaplin.

Tom Craddock and Cherries striker Josh O'Hanlon traded chances after the restart before Craddock saw his cushioned header cleared off the line by Addison.

Cherries pressed ahead and dominated the latter stages but found clear-cut chances difficult to come by as the clock ticked down.

“We kept the ball well for large parts of the game but did not use it as well as had in recent matches and could not make the most of our pressure,” said Purches.

“Sometimes it comes down to decision making. We gave away the ball by trying too hard to do the right things but some of the play was decent. Portsmouth had chances as well so it was a good game.”

Meanwhile, the development boss said the presence of Cherries' fringe players had given his younger charges a boost.

“The first-team lads have used these games well,” he added. “It is always good to have them in because their attitudes are first-class and it is a positive thing for the younger players to see that.

“They all hope to be in contention as the season progresses so it is beneficial for everyone.”

Purches confirmed that “one or two” loan moves could be in the offing for some of his squad over the coming weeks.

Cherries: Allsop, Muleba, Carmichael (Kaye, 70), Ward, Buckley, Matthews (Butcher, 54), Addison, A Coulibaly, Walsh (Bassele, 58), M Coulibaly, O'Hanlon. Unused subs: Lee, Holmes (g/k).