CHERRIES’ hopes of recording a second league win over Southampton in 60 years were dashed as the teams played out a goalless draw at Vitality Stadium.

Joshua King had arguably the best chance to break the deadlock but fired wide from Callum Wilson’s pass in the second half.

King was also narrowly off target with a header while Adam Smith and Nathan Ake might also have found the net.

For Southampton, Charlie Austin wasted a good first-half opportunity and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s spectacular effort after the interval had keeper Asmir Begovic scrambling.

Saints substitutes Stuart Armstrong and Manolo Gabbiadini both had decent chances to convert in the closing stages.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe retained the same starting XI which had trounced Watford 4-0 before the international break.

Winger Ryan Fraser and frontman King shook off hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively, in time to feature.

Saints showed three changes with Jack Stephens, Moi Elyounoussi and former Poole Town striker Austin replacing Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Gabbiadini.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was selected after recovering from the hamstring tightness which had prompted his withdrawal from the England squad.

Cherries started well and carved out a good chance in the opening moments.

Smith charged through the centre of midfield and played in Wilson on the right side of the box. Wilson pulled back across goal but Smith, who had continued his run, failed to make a clean connection.

Saints winger Nathan Redmond responded by sending an ambitious free-kick over the bar and, soon after, Austin was ruled a fraction offside from Redmond’s pass with the goal at his mercy.

Thirteen minutes in, Colombian international Jefferson Lerma picked out Wilson on the right flank and the striker outmuscled Ryan Bertrand before finding David Brooks, whose shot was wayward.

Austin and Ake were then left a little groggy after a clash of heads in midfield but both were deemed fit to continue.

Following neat interplay with Brooks by the corner flag, skipper Simon Francis swung in a left-footed cross but the delivery was slightly behind Wilson and his header looped over.

Cherries had a lucky escape 10 minutes before the break. Hojbjerg clipped over the defence and Austin beat Ake but his touch past Begovic took the ball out of play when he could have been left with a simple tap-in.

A tepid first half ended after Hojbjerg fired a vicious half-volley into the arms of Begovic.

Seconds after the restart, Cherries could have been ahead. Lerma danced clear of trouble and passed to Francis on the right. Francis returned the ball to the midfielder and Lerma’s cross from deep was headed just past the left post by King.

Danny Ings, who had been a muted presence against his former club, dived inside off the left wing but Begovic easily scooped up the striker’s tame effort.

Eddie Howe introduced Junior Stanislas before the hour and it was not long before the former Burnley man was involved in creating a gilt-edged opportunity.

From King’s cushioned header, Stanislas raced down the left flank and played inside for Wilson, who crossed low into the path of King. From a promising position, the Norwegian international placed wide of the left upright when he should at least have tested McCarthy.

With 21 minutes left, Francis’s attempt at a headed clearance found only Hojbjerg and the Dane’s dipping half-volley forced Begovic to tip over.

Back came Cherries and Fraser’s corner was powerfully met by the head of Ake, with McCarthy well-positioned to gather.

Saints boss Mark Hughes threw on Shane Long and Gabbiadini in the closing stages and the visitors’ attacking threat increased.

Begovic saved smartly from Long from the narrowest from angles, while a heavy touch from the chest of Armstrong cost him a clear pop at goal from Long’s knockdown.

There was still time for the straining Gabbiadini to head onto the roof of the net from Redmond’s cross.

MATCH STATS

Cherries (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, A Smith; Brooks (Stanislas, 59), L Cook, Lerma, Fraser (Ibe, 77); King (Gosling, 85); Wilson.

Unused subs: Rico, Surman, Defoe, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: Wilson.

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Elyounoussi, Hojbjerg, Lemina (Armstrong, 66), Redmond; Austin (Long, 78), Ings (Gabbiadini, 79).

Unused subs: Vestergaard, Yoshida, Ward-Prowse, Gunn (g/k).

Booked: Bertrand, Lemina.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).