DESPITE all the pre-match talk of hard work being the key foundation on which to build AFC Bournemouth's new era, it was two memorable moments more akin to greatness than graft that lit up Jimmy Quinn's first game in charge of Cherries.

The new boss and his assistant Jason Tindall have, quite rightly, highlighted the need for the club's players to dig deep and battle since succeeding Kevin Bond and his management team at Dean Court last week.

But it took more than sweat and toil to earn Saturday's point on the road at Notts County. It took a majestic goal, one good enough to grace top-level football, and a world-class save every bit as good.

Having fallen behind to Jamie Forrester's 12th-minute opener, the start of Quinn's reign began just as Bond's had ended - with some dreadful defending.

All was forgiven and forgotten, however, within seven minutes on a wet afternoon at Meadow Lane. In a stadium worthy of quality entertainment, Cherries produced a sensational passing sequence fit for their surroundings to get back on level terms.

Unsurprisingly Shaun Cooper, again superb in the role of ball-playing centre-half, and influential captain Darren Anderton were involved in the move.

They started the intricate build-up, which eventually involved the majority of Cherries' outfield players, before the ball was moved to Brett Pitman on the left wing.

He fizzed a pass into strike partner Jeff Goulding who cushioned the ball back to Sammy Igoe in the centre of the field, deep inside County territory.

The busy former Bristol Rovers schemer switched play to Scott Wagstaff on the right. He drilled in a low cross, which Pitman slid in to meet at the far post to score a marvellous goal.

A man who knows a thing or two about hitting the net, former Northern Ireland forward Quinn was left purring.

He said: "The move for our goal was as good as you will see."

County's grand ground is surrounded by a number of factories and warehouses, but it was the industrious nature of a rejuvenated Cherries side that shone in the Nottingham gloom for the remainder of the match.

Following their wonder goal, the Dean Court outfit, unchanged from the fine midweek win over Bristol Rovers, produced a workmanlike display to grind out a solid point on their trip to the world's oldest football league club.

Suited and booted in the technical area, Quinn looked the part. But his side didn't during a shaky opening against Magpies, as only a tame Richard Butcher finish spared Cherries a nightmare start.

The enigmatic Pitman failed to stretch Russell Hoult at the other end before the hosts got the goal their quickfire beginning had deserved.

When Igoe's defensive clearance was knocked back into the danger area by Jay Smith, journeyman forward Forrester was unmarked and on hand to volley neatly past the exposed Shwan Jalal.

Having been hit by such an early blow, Cherries could have gone into their shell. But instead they pressed forward, with impressive Charlton Athletic loan man Wagstaff putting in a sterling shift on the right flank.

And it was his cross which helped Pitman cap a perfect move for Cherries' lovely leveller.

Jalal brilliantly saved from Myles Weston to maintain parity before Cherries finished the first half well on the front foot.

Wagstaff and Danny Hollands came close to nicking an interval lead after the midfield duo had both combined well with big striker Jeff Goulding, who continues to look the part since his move from non-league.

After the break, Hoult produced a neat save from Lee Bradbury's volley but, if the former West Brom gloveman's stop was routine, then there was something extremely special about the save produced by Jalal in the 64th minute.

When the ball dropped to Magpies skipper Mike Edwards after Matt Hamshaw's free kick, there looked like only one possible outcome. But somehow Cherries' recent signing from Peterborough leapt low to his right to repel Edwards's point-blank strike in stunning style.

Anderton cleared a Butcher header off the line from the resulting corner as Cherries were backed on to the ropes by their forceful hosts, who poured forward in search of a winner.

But having staved off the threat of a knockout blow, the Dorset side looked to land a counter punch of their own.

Wagstaff, whose nifty footwork and all-round work rate caught the eye, was again in the thick of the action.

The young prospect, who was singled out for some rough treatment from the hosts throughout, went to ground on the edge of the County penalty area with 13 minutes remaining. But he was booked for his trouble, despite appearing to be clipped from behind.

Not to be deterred, the winger almost sealed the points with the last kick of an entertaining match, only for his curling effort from the left to fly just wide.

That would have capped a good afternoon for Wagstaff and new manager Quinn but, on the difficult days to come, moments of high class like Saturday's goal and the superb second-half save from Jalal should see Cherries pick up that elusive first league win sooner rather than later.