A DOUBLE helping of last-minute drama saved Cherries from FA Cup embarrassment at Dean Court.

Kevin Bond's side were second best to non-league Barrow for much of a thrilling match before Max Gradel's late penalty forced extra-time and Danny Hollands fired a last-gasp, acrobatic winner.

Such was the relief of Bond's charges, the jubilant celebrations that followed the winning strike saw Hollands given his marching orders by referee Roger East for a second yellow card.

Bond had sprung a huge surprise by including Leicester loanee Gradel in his line-up on the left flank, after the 19-year-old's return from compassionate leave.

The last time Cherries fans had the opportunity to see the diminutive winger was more than six weeks ago, when he struck a superb double in the memorable away victory against Crewe.

There were no early signs of ring rust as Gradel raced on to Jem Karacan's searching pass in the fourth minute and, having easily beaten his defender, the winger's dream start was spoiled when visiting goalkeeper Tim Deasy smothered at his feet.

The Barrow management trio of club captain Paul Jones, veteran ex-Barnsley midfielder Darren Sheridan and Dave Bayliss also had a surprise up their sleeves.

They opted to keep faith with local lad Jason Walker up front after he starred in Saturday's 4-0 demolition of AFC Telford in Blue Square North.

That meant Kevin Rapley, who notched against Cherries in the original tie at Holker Street, had to settle for a place on the bench, having missed the Telford victory due to illness.

And it was Walker who had the first chance of the replay in the eighth minute as the non-leaguers, spurred on by a raucous travelling support, began brightly against their Football League opponents.

The ball fell in the penalty area to Walker and he nipped in ahead of Gareth Stewart to dink the ball over the advancing keeper. But Cherries had Shaun Cooper to thank as he hacked the ball to safety.

Lee Bradbury, returning from a three-match suspension, had Cherries' first meaningful effort on target after Scott Golbourne, deployed on the right side of midfield, had played the former Manchester City striker in. But Bradbury, a one-time FA Cup quarter-finalist with Portsmouth, saw his weak shot easily saved by Deasy.

Cherries had a huge let-off on the half-hour mark, with the lively Walker again causing problems for Bond's back four.

The striker's curling right-foot shot was well saved by Stewart at full stretch and, with the goal gaping, Nick Rogan somehow managed to scuff the rebound high and wide.

With half-time approaching, the clever money looked to be on the team from Cumbria taking an unlikely lead, but they were left shocked when Golbourne unleashed a vicious strike to put Cherries ahead against the run of play.

The 19-year-old Reading loanee cut in from the right wing before surprising Deasy with a 25-yard strike, which flew in off the post.

If the visitors had started the first half well, their fans were left pinching early in the second period.

On 55 minutes, striker Rogan more than made up for his earlier miss by smashing a left-footed shot into the top corner of Stewart's net.

And, not content with an equaliser, the Bluebirds had the audacity to take the lead eight minutes later.

If Rogan's goal was all about power, then the strike that gave Barrow the lead was simply magical.

Walker, a constant menace, latched on to a loose ball, advanced into the penalty area and produced a delightful chip to leave Stewart stranded - and the travelling fans in dreamland.

Things could have got even worse for Bond's men four minutes later, had Stewart not denied Henney after the midfielder's mazy run down the right.

And the Cherries keeper was again the saviour, denying Walker after the frontman had taken advantage of Paul Telfer's slip-up to wriggle clear.

With the League One hosts looking down and out, they were handed a last-minute lifeline by referee East.

After Brett Pitman's effort had come back of the post, Henney was judged to have felled Karacan in the box.

And the returning Gradel slotted the spot-kick home to ensure a grandstand finish.

There was still time for Pitman to head against the bar and fire a free-kick just over before extra-time began in heavy rain.

Walker was guilty of missing golden opportunities at the start and end of the first 15 minutes, with Stewart saving superbly from Steve McNulty's powerful free-kick in between.

The second period started with mayhem in the Barrow penalty box, but Josh Gowling's scuffed shot failed to trouble Deasy.

But the brave Holker Street side were not as fortunate at the death when Golbourne's cross found Hollands, who broke the travelling fans' hearts with an excellent finish.

Echo player ratings

Cherries: Stewart 8.5*, Telfer 6, Gowling 7, Cooper 6.5, Cummings 6.5 (McQuoid, 68), Golbourne 7, Hollands 7, Karacan 6.5 (J Pearce, 114), Gradel 7.5, Pitman 6.5, Bradbury 6.

Unused subs: Pryce, Bartley, Davidson.

Booked: Pitman.

Sent off: Hollands.

Barrow: Deasy, Woodyatt, Butler, Jones, McNulty, Henney, Bond, Sheridan (Fowler, 77), Walker (Thompson, 115), Rogan (Rapley, 119), Brown.

Unused subs: Wilson, Elderton.

Booked: Walker.

Referee: Roger East (Salisbury).

Attendance: 2,959.