IMPRESSIVE Shwan Jalal admitted it was "heartbreaking" to see his good work undone in the dying seconds as Cherries were forced to make do with an opening-day draw.

The keeper, who is on loan from Peterborough, kept the Dorset side in with a chance of victory for long periods of yesterday's League Two clash against Gillingham by producing a string of fine saves.

But with just seconds left on the clock at Dean Court, Cherries' resistance was finally broken when Jalal was beaten at his near post by a powerful effort from Gills substitute Gary Mulligan.

Reflecting on his competitive debut for the club, Jalal said: "I was kept quite busy in the first half which, as a goalkeeper, is not the way you like it.

"I had to make the saves I had to make, but I was gutted for the last-minute goal to go in.

"We defended really well but it was just one of those things unfortunately.

"It's heartbreaking at the minute but I'm sure we'll regroup for the next game."

The former Tottenham Hotspur trainee declared himself "pleased" with his showing.

He brilliantly denied Gillingham's livewire striker Simeon Jackson early on before diving to keep out a header from target man Mark McCammon.

But his hopes of a clean sheet were eventually ruined by Mulligan's fine finish.

"I don't know if he meant it but it came through a load of bodies and went in the top corner," said Jalal.

"I'm very self-critical but by the time I'd seen it, it was already in the net."

The stopper, who was selected ahead of Cherries' youth-team graduate Ryan Pryce, was happy with the reception he got from the home faithful.

He said: "From day one in the Portsmouth game when they didn't know me the fans were fantastic.

"If they can carry on cheering us as they did today, hopefully we can repay their faith."

See Monday's Daily Echo for full match coverage and reaction.