DOMINIC Solanke’s second-half header rescued a point for Cherries in a feisty battle with Rotherham United in south Yorkshire.

Cherries had led through a Junior Stanislas penalty, only for Freddie Ladapo to score either side of half-time to turn the game the way of the hosts.

However, Jason Tindall’s men responded to take a share of the spoils with Solanke meeting a Diego Rico cross to head in low and seal a 2-2 draw.

Tindall made two changes following Tuesday night’s win over Nottingham Forest, both of which were enforced. Lewis Cook and Arnaut Danjuma missed out through minor injuries, meaning Philip Billing came in for his first start since October, with Dan Gosling also in the XI. Stanislas progressed to a more advanced role following his midweek brace.

Rotherham, coming into the game on the back of two straight defeats, made a bright start with Matt Crooks and Jamie Lindsay both seeing shots blocked.

The hosts were looking to make the most of any set piece and throw-in which came their way, but Cherries did show some of their quality on the counter, notably Stanislas who spun away from Matt Olosunde. The winger delivered low for Solanke, who fired just wide on the stretch.

But, from a similar position, the forward made a big impact soon after. After collecting possession deep in the box, Solanke was tripped from behind by goalkeeper Jamal Blackman. Up stepped Stanislas, who also scored from the penalty spot on Tuesday night, and again he made no mistake, clipping his effort down the middle.

Rotherham responded well, almost levelling instantly when Lindsay powerfully met a Joe Mattock cross, but Asmir Begovic was alert to brilliantly tip over the header.

Another Mattock delivery soon caused problems, with his deep free-kick reaching Michael Ihiekwe, but the captain tried to tee up a team-mate when an effort at goal looked a better bet.

And the hosts levelled eight minutes before half-time. It was Mattock again causing problems down the left, with his low cross neatly tucked home by striker Ladapo inside the box.

Stanislas, who celebrated his 31st birthday this week, had the chance to add his second of the afternoon when he was slipped through on goal by Solanke. However, just as he was about to pull the trigger, defender Olosunde got back to make a vital sliding challenge.

Stanislas had another go just before the half was out, trying to catch out Blackman with a wide free-kick, but the Chelsea loanee scrambled back to save.

The former West Ham United ace continued to try his luck after the restart, bursting down the left moments after kick-off before cutting inside and seeing his shot saved by Blackman.

And the hosts completed the turnaround soon after. Begovic got down well to parry away a well-struck Lindsay effort, but Rotherham kept the attack alive with Ladapo managing to beat the Bosnian from a tight angle as he helped the ball back towards the far post.

Tindall turned to his bench on the hour mark, introducing both Sam Surridge and Rico with Adam Smith and Gosling making way as Cherries moved to a back three.

And the switch instantly paid off. Billing threaded a ball through for Rico on the left and the substitute stood up a cross for Solanke, who powered home his header despite a hand from Blackman.

Back came the hosts again with Michael Smith smashing a shot wide before the ball was in the net again. After Begovic had pulled off another impressive stop to deny Angus MacDonald’s overhead kick, Crooks put in the rebound, but the flag was up on the far side to rule out the effort.

Cherries pushed hard for a winner with both Solanke and Billing going close, before Jefferson Lerma’s speculative free-kick just cleared the crossbar as the spoils were shared.

Cherries: Begovic; A Smith (Surridge, 61), Mepham, S Cook, Kelly; Lerma, Billing, Gosling (Rico, 61); Brooks, Stanislas, Solanke.

Unused subs: Simpson, Ofoborh, Zemura, Kilkenny, Riquelme, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Kelly, Lerma, Brooks.

Rotherham: Blackman; Olosunde (Clarke, 64), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Mattock; Lindsay, Crooks, Wiles; M Smith, Ladapo (Vassell, 89).

Unused subs: Jones, Thompson, Barlaser, Miller, Jozefzoon, Hirst, Johansson (g/k).

Booked: Ihiekwe, Smith.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.