Cherries registered their first draw for 22 games – since they were held 0-0 by the Valiants at Dean Court in early March.

The two sides carved out a number of decent opportunities during an entertaining encounter but were unable to make a breakthrough.

A keenly-contested affair saw fussy referee Rob Shoebridge book no fewer than three players from each side as the two teams were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

New loan signing Anthony Edgar was drafted in for his full league debut, the 19-year-old West Ham youngster lining up on the left-hand side of midfield.

Ryan Garry returned at the expense of Scott Guyett, who was ruled out through injury, while Alan Connell replaced Steve Fletcher up front.

Fletcher took his place on the bench alongside Josh McQuoid and Marvin Bartley as Cherries boss Eddie Howe again named only three substitutes.

Howe’s men had the better of the early exchanges in the first half, although Vale came good towards the end of the opening period and could have nicked a lead.

Cherries forced five corners in quick succession during the opening stages, the fourth of which saw Vale goalkeeper Chris Martin palm over a header from Jason Pearce.

And Edgar could have given referee Rob Shoebridge something to ponder had he gone over in the penalty area after being shoved in the back by Anthony Griffin.

Vale’s first chance of note came in the 22nd minute when Doug Loft blazed his shot over the crossbar following a cross from Jason Jarrett.

For all Cherries’ first-half possession, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock following Kris Taylor’s 36th-minute corner.

Firstly, after the flag kick had been flicked on at the near post, Marc Richards saw his bullet header come back off the crossbar.

And after Louis Dodds had latched on to the loose ball, his fierce drive from point-blank range was parried superbly by Shwan Jalal.

As Vale grew in confidence, Taylor was also denied by the woodwork when his low shot struck the base of the post.

On the stroke of half-time, Jalal raced off his line to clear at the feet of Dodds before the Cherries goalkeeper tipped over a cross-shot from Griffith.

Pitman’s free kick at the start of the second half sailed high over the crossbar before Dodds lifted a chance over the top at the opposite end.

The woodwork also came to Vale’s rescue after 67 minutes when Pitman’s glancing header from a Cummings cross bounced back off the upright.

Jalal scrambled across his line to save Taylor’s free kick before Cherries made a switch when Fletcher replaced Connell with 18 minutes remaining.

And although the big targetman made his presence felt during the closing stages, he was unable to help Cherries find a way through.

Jalal, who was relatively untroubled during the second half, was called into action to tip over a Taylor free kick with two minutes remaining.

In the dying seconds, Martin saved with his outstretched right leg after Pitman had looked destined to grab a dramatic late winner.

Cherries (4-4-2): Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce, Garry (Bartley, 77), Cummings, Feeney, Robinson, Hollands, Edgar, Connell (Fletcher, 72), Pitman.

Unused subs: McQuoid.

Booked: Hollands, Pitman, Bradbury.

Vale (5-3-2): Martin, Griffith, McCombe, Collins, Owen, Loft (Haldane, 56), Taylor, Jarrett, Fraser, Richards (Horsfield, 65), Dodds (McCrory, 87). Unused subs: Stockley, Prosser, Yates, Anyon (g/k).

Booked: Richards, Owen, Dodds.

Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).

Attendance: 4,905 (inc 253 away supporters).