JOE Roach singled out Joe Partington for special praise following Cherries' 1-1 draw with Puma Youth Alliance Cup rivals Brentford at Canford School.

The Wales under-19 skipper responded to being "relieved" of the Cherries captaincy by turning in an impressive display against the Bees.

Roach said: "Joe was back on his game. He's been captaining both Wales and us and I gave the armband to Matt Finlay because I think Joe's overall game has been affected. He's been trying to look at the team and other people's performances and maybe taken his eye off himself. He's got high expectations, he responded accor-dingly and played really well."

Karl Preston followed up his goal against Barnet last week with a second-half equaliser as Cherries registered a second successive 1-1 draw in their cup campaign.

Roach's charges created a hatful of other chances with headers from George Webb and Danny Reeve both going close, while Steve Hutchings had three decent opportunities.

"We just needed to be a little more composed around the box," said Roach, who also heaped praise on Richie Whittingham for giving the Bees "problems down the right flank".

"But I was pleased because we only had one recognised striker due to injuries, suspensions and Billy Franks being elevated to the first team.

"We had to shuffle things around but the lads responded excellently. It was another game we should have won but another game without defeat so that breeds confidence and I can't speak highly enough of them. Both sides contributed towards an excellent game."

Cherries: Pryce, Reeve, Queere, Stephenson, Newton (Preston, 64), Whittingham (Ayres, 68), Partington, Webb (Kemble, 72), Finlay, Cooper, Hutchings.