GARY Mulligan's last-gasp strike denied Cherries an opening day victory as the club's new era began with a 1-1 draw this afternoon at Dean Court.

Captain Darren Anderton, who was excellent throughout, had put the hosts in front three minutes before half-time.

And, despite coming under heavy pressure from Gillingham, Kevin Bond's men looked set for maximum points before substitute Mulligan equalised with his first touch with just six seconds of normal time remaining.

As expected, Cherries boss Bond handed debuts to new signings Scott Guyett, Sammy Igoe and Peterborough loanee goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.

The Dorset side lined up with left-back Ryan Garry preferred to Warren Cummings, who was named on the bench alongside recent recruit Carl Pettefer.

The visitors boasted debutants of their own, with former Doncaster frontman Mark McCammon leading the line for Mark Stimson's men.

But it was Cherries striker Jo Kuffour who came closest to hitting an early opener within three minutes of the start. An incisive pass from Igoe found last season's top scorer in space 15 yards from goal, but his rising effort flew high over Simon Royce's crossbar.

Gills striker Simeon Jackson fired an almost identical attempt high into the Key Stand in the 16th minute before Anderton, who started the match in fine fashion, had a great chance to put his side in front.

His perfect pass released Garry on the left and the defender's cross found the former England and Tottenham star, who had advanced into the Gills penalty area, but his scuffed shot was easily saved by Royce.

Having waited 21 minutes for a clear goalscoring opportunity, another came almost immediately, but this time it was Jalal who was forced into action.

Cherries centre-half Jason Pearce misjudged a long ball, allowing Jackson a free run on goal, but having advanced into the 18-yard box his weak shot was saved by Jalal's outstretched left leg.

And the visitors were again left to rue Jackson's sloppy finishing when, having been found unmarked eight yards out by a McCammon cross, he somehow put his shot wide with Jalal beaten.

When presented with an opportunity himself in the 35th minute, McCammon found the target, but his header from John Nutter's cross was parried clear by Jalal.

With the game becoming more stretched, Kuffour and Jackson both brought comfortable saves from the two goalkeepers.

But the League Two clash did get the goal it needed three minutes before the break and, rather predictably, it was the impressive Anderton who put Cherries, who were fortunate not to be at least two goals adrift, ahead.

The veteran midfielder demonstrated all his class by surging into Gillingham territory and, when not closed down, he slid a left-footed, controlled shot into the far bottom corner of Royce's net.

Having enjoyed an ideal end to the first half, Cherries endured a difficult opening to the second period, with Gillingham very much on the front foot.

Jackson continued to pose the main goal threat, with his pace causing problems for the hosts' defence.

His 56th-minute cross found the head of Mark Bentley at the far post, but the midfielder failed to trouble Jalal.

And the Cherries keeper was again untested after Jackson had forced his way into Cherries' penalty area, only to send his shot high and wide.

With clear openings few and far between as the half wore on, it looked as if the hosts had weathered the storm to claim a valuable opening day win.

But they were denied in the closing moments when Mulligan salvaged a point for Gills, with a cool finish from 12 yards beating Jalal at his near post.

Cherries: Jalal, Bradbury, Guyett, Pearce, Garry, Cooper, Bartley, Anderton, Igoe (Cummings, 61), Kuffour, Pitman (McQuoid, 83). Unused subs: Pryce (gk), Ward, Pettefer.

Booked: Pitman

Gillingham: Royce, Fuller, King, Richards, Nutter, Weston (Berry, 70), Crofts, Bentley, Miller (Mulligan, 87), Jackson, McCammon. Unused subs: Julian (gk), Clohessy, Mills.

Booked: King, McCammon

Referee: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex)