LOAN star Donal McDermott grabbed a potentially-priceless equaliser as honours finished even following a pulsating League One play-off semi-final at Dean Court.

McDermott’s stunning 60th-minute strike cancelled out Kevin Kilbane’s first-half opener, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in west Yorkshire. Experienced campaigner Kilbane drew first blood for the Terriers when his close-range header from a Gary Roberts corner broke the deadlock after 22 minutes.

But after Town goalkeeper Ian Bennett had felled Rhoys Wiggins, Cherries were given a possible route back in after they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes before the break.

However, after Danny Ings had been made to wait what must have seemed like an eternity to take aim, his effort was saved by Bennett, diving to his right.

Despite the setback, Bradbury’s men stuck to their task and were rewarded with an equaliser, McDermott’s stunning drive making it 1-1 on the hour.

Cherries, bidding to make the most of home advantage, started encouragingly and took the game to Huddersfield during the early stages.

They looked set to fashion the first chance after six minutes when Liam Feeney mounted a swift break, only for the winger to overrun the ball, allowing Peter Clarke to clear.

Jason Pearce then headed over after outjumping the Town defence to meet Feeney’s long throw before a Donal McDermott effort was charged down by Clarke.

Despite their rich early promise, Cherries were rocked when they conceded a soft opener midway through the first half, Kilbane stealing in to head home a Gary Roberts corner.

A penalty appeal fell on deaf ears after Kilbane had appeared to shove Pearce before Ings fired the loose ball into the arms of Town goalkeeper Bennett.

However, Cherries were handed a golden opportunity to restore parity after Rhoys Wiggins had been upended by Bennett inside the penalty area.

But, after the veteran goalkeeper had been booked for his misdemeanour, he turned from villain to hero, diving full length to his right to keep out Ings’s 35th-minute spot kick.

Cherries were thankful to goalkeeper Shwan Jalal for saving smartly after Roberts had let fly with a 25-yard ripsnorter six minutes before the break.

Feeney squandered a presentable opening to test Bennett on the stroke of half-time, only to drag his shot horribly off target after being teed up by Ings.

Cherries were indebted to Jalal for a superb reaction save from Benik Afobe, the goalkeeper clawing away the Arsenal loan man’s snapshot six minutes into the second period.

Bennett then snaffled a Danny Hollands drive, the goalkeeper diving to his left after the midfielder had tried his luck from just outside the 18-yard box.

McDermott raised the roof at Dean Court when his blistering strike found the bottom left-hand corner of Bennett’s net on the hour.

It was the 21-year-old Dubliner’s second goal since joining Cherries on loan – on the same day his parent club Manchester City were involved in the FA Cup final.

McDermott and Joey Gudjonsson traded free kicks, the Cherries man striking the defensive wall before the Icelandic international fired over at the opposite end.

In the closing stages, Wiggins saw his venomous free-kick pouched by Bennett before the Town goalkeeper also saved from Anton Robinson.

Cherries: Jalal, Smith, Pearce, Cooper, Wiggins, Feeney, Robinson, Hollands, McDermott (Pugh, 77), Lovell (Fletcher, 89), Ings (Williamson, 89).

Unused subs: Purches, Arter, Cummings, Thomas (g/k).

Booked: Robinson, Smith.

Terriers: Bennett, Peltier (Hunt, 53), Clarke, Kay, Naysmith, Gudjonsson, Kilbane, Arfield, Ward (Cadamarteri, 83), Afobe (Novak, 87), Roberts.

Unused subs: McCombe, Rhodes, Lee, Colgan (g/k).

Booked: Bennett, Arfield.

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 9,043. (including 1,283 away supporters).