YOUTH-team boss Carl Fletcher warned his Cherries fledglings not to “take liberties” after they had blown a two-goal lead against Portsmouth.

Matt Butcher and Sam Matthews had put Cherries in a commanding position but Pompey hit back through Brandon Haunstrup and Harvey Bradbury to secure a 2-2 draw during the final 15 minutes.

Fletcher told the club's official website: “We had been in complete control of the game so were bitterly disappointed.

“For all of the possession we had, we didn't test their goalkeeper as much as we would have liked. That is something we need to improve on.

“I said to the players after the game 'you cannot take liberties'. In football, the game can change in the blink of an eye.

“We went from being totally comfortable and in control of the game to letting in a sloppy goal that put us under pressure late on.

“We have to be better in terms of managing that situation but, in terms of possession, there were some positive points to take."

Fletcher continued: “We need to take the composure we showed in the first two-thirds of the pitch into the final third, because that is where it counts.

“There are things to work on this week. We do need to be better in terms of doing our job and the basics when we want to see a game out.

“It is all about the players' development. This was a learning curve for them and an experience to take on board for the future.”

The under-18s remain unbeaten in their first three Football League Youth Alliance Merit League One matches with a win and two draws so far.

Next up for Cherries is a trip to winless Swindon Town on Saturday (11am).

Cherries: Holmes, Lee, Harfield, Lander, Simpson, Worthington, Cooper, Butcher, Surridge, Matthews, Neale. Substitutes: O'Sullivan, Randall, Walker, O'Connell.