MARCUS Tavernier made another positive step in his return to full fitness with 45 minutes for Cherries’ development squad against Sheffield Wednesday.

Dominic Sadi’s fine strike was all that separated the sides, until a late Adam Adetoro effort earned the Owls a 1-1 draw, preserving their unbeaten start to the Professional Development League season.

Cherries’ side was bolstered by the inclusion of three first-team players, with no senior fixtures during the international break.

Irish duo Darren Randolph and Gavin Kilkenny played their first minutes of the season, while Tavernier also started, fresh from his return from injury at Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

While no fans were permitted to attend the fixture at Vitality Stadium, there were plenty of interested onlookers, including first-team boss Andoni Iraola.

Cherries had a strong early shout for a penalty waved away, when Sadi broke into the box and went down under the challenge of Jay Glover.

Tavernier was getting joy down the right wing, his driving run eventually leading to a chance for Sadi, who shot over from inside the box.

But the midfielder did get his goal on 17 minutes, superbly finding the top corner, goalkeeper Jack Hall only able to help it on its way in.

Chances were at a premium for the rest of the half. Captain Max Kinsey-Wellings saw a back post header held by Hall, before Sadi fired over with the last chance before the break.

Alan Connell made two subs at half-time, Tavernier one of those to make way. Kian Tydeman also came off with Ben Winterburn utilised at centre-forward, while Remy Rees-Dottin came on on the wing.

Cherries created the first opportunity of the second period, Jack Wadham sliding in to win the ball before shooting, his effort held by Hall.

Randolph was finally called into action midway through the half, parrying away a shot from substitute Joey Phuthi.

With 10 minutes to play, Wednesday levelled, a low cross from the left prodded in by Adetoro.

Winterburn had a big chance to win it for the hosts, slicing over when unmarked inside the box. Kilkenny then tried his luck from distance, his well-struck effort narrowly off target.

Cherries: Randolph; Tonks (Okoh, 90), Kinsey-Wellings, Harris, Boutin; Wadham, Kilkenny; Tavernier (Rees-Dottin, h-t), Williams (Landa, 86), Sadi; Tydeman (Winterburn, h-t).

Unused sub: Crisp (g/k).

Sheff Wed: Hall; Siqueira (Flannery, 78), Maltby, Adetoro, Reed; Glover, Shipston (Cook, 78); Fusire, Buchan (Phuthi, 57), Onukwuli (Wilson, 68); Cadamarteri.

Unused sub: Jackson (g/k).

Referee: Anthony Cross.