CHERRIES failed to return to the summit of the Championship after a frustrating goalless draw at Peterborough United.
Scott Parker’s men dominated much of the possession but struggled to create sustained pressure at Weston Homes Stadium.
Morgan Rogers and Ryan Christie forced saves from David Cornell in the first half before Dominic Solanke tested the home goalkeeper in the second period.
Cherries’ top scorer spurned arguably the best chance of the game in the final 10 minutes after an error in the Posh backline.
Parker made three changes from Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Luton Town.
Rogers made his first league start of the season. Jack Stacey slotted in at right back and David Brooks came in to complete the line-up.
Adam Smith, who scored on Cherries last trip to London Road back in 2011, Ben Pearson and Jaidon Anthony dropped to the substitutes bench.
And it was loanee Rogers who had the first effort on target in the 13th minute after a cagey opening. Philip Billing found a pocket of space in the box to nod a throw in into the path of the England under-20 international, who darted towards goal before seeing his stinging effort blocked stopper Cornell.
A spell of possession from the visitors failed to produce any further clear-cut chances. Christie watched an effort sail the crossbar from the edge of the box after a jinking run from Brooks.
Peterborough should have opened the scoring in the 30th minute. A flighted cross from Harrison Burrows put the goal at Jorge Grant’s mercy but he failed to make a clean connection and Lloyd Kelly hooked clear.
Cherries came out for the second half with renewed impetus and Parker’s men should have tested Cornell after a well-worked corner routine. The ball eventually came across to Brooks in the middle of the penalty area, however he skewed his strike off target.
It took 58 minutes for frontman Solanke to get his first strike at goal. The former Chelsea and Liverpool marksman drove into the box. His forceful shot produced a routine save from Cornell.
As the match edged towards the final 20 minutes Parker rung the changes in search of an opener, with Anthony, Pearson and Jamal Lowe all introduced in the space of eight minutes.
Mark Travers was called into action for the first time in the 72nd minute when Jonson Clarke-Harris fired an ambitious but ultimately tame effort with a long-range free-kick.
Confusion in the Posh box nearly proved costly for the hosts. A ricochet off two defenders after a teasing cross in from Stacey saw the ball bounce to Solanke, who had a golden chance to break the deadlock. The 24-year-old snatched at the shot on the turn from 10 yards and Peterborough breathed a sigh of relief.
He gained another sight at goal at the death but was not able to direct his header on target from a driven corner.
The point brought Cherries level on points with West Bromwich Albion, but behind the Baggies in the table on goal difference.
Cherries: Travers; Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Lerma, Billing, Christie (Anthony, 62); Brooks (Lowe, 69), Rogers (Pearson, 63), Solanke.
Unused subs: Smith, Mepham, Marcondes, Nyland (g/k).
Booked: None.
Peterborough: Cornell; Thompson, Edwards, Kent, Butler; Burrows, Norburn, Taylor (Coventry, 63), Dembele (Ward, 63); Grant (Szmodics, 67), Clarke-Harris.
Unused subs: Knight, Poku, Tomlinson, Blackmore (g/k).
Booked: Burrows.
Referee: Andy Woolmer.
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