MANAGER Lee Bradbury hail-ed the performance of Darryl Flahavan after the stopper staked his claim to retain the Cherries goalkeeping jersey.

Flahavan’s position has been the subject of heated debate since he replaced Shwan Jalal as first choice.

The situation returned to the headlines last week when Jalal made a U-turn and opted to sign a new three-year deal, having rejected two contract offers from Cherries this year.

The Echo understands Jalal’s new terms are worth less than the original offers on the table over the summer.

Flahavan, an ever present in League One this season, followed that news by making two excellent second-half saves in Cherries’ 2-2 draw at MK Dons on Saturday.

Boss Bradbury said: “I thought he was great and made some really good saves. He responded excellently. He made two or three great saves to keep us in the game at crucial times.

“We have got two very good goalkeepers at the club and long may that continue.”

Bradbury, meanwhile, explained his decision to substitute Wes Thomas after the striker had netted twice to put the Dorset outfit 2-1 up at stadiummk.

Thomas was replaced by Joe Partington as Bradbury returned to a five-man midfield after Dons had strengthened their attack in a bid to find an equaliser, which Clinton Morrison provided late on.

Bradbury said: “It was a sacrifice but one I felt we needed to make as they were piling on the pressure.”

“I wanted to secure us a little bit and give us a little bit of protection in front of the back four, with Angelo Balanta sitting in the hole.

“We did that reasonably well, apart from the second goal, which was a bit of a blow.”