JOE Partington yesterday took a significant step on the comeback trail when he returned to action during Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Football Combination rivals Forest Green Rovers.

Partington, who has been plagued by injury for much of the season, came off the bench after 61 minutes at New Milton’s Fawcett’s Fields and turned in an assured display.

The 21-year-old midfielder set up Cherries’ goal with only his second touch, Jayden Stockley heading home his inch-perfect cross just three minutes after Partington had entered the fold.

Cherries skipper Adam Barrett was handed a 45-minute run-out after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Shaun Cooper and Stephane Zubar also featured.

Reserve team boss Ryan Garry told the club website: “It was good to see Joe get 30 minutes at the end. He has been out for a long time so you have to be mindful of that and that is why he played the last half-an-hour instead of starting. We wanted to get him on once things had calmed down.

“He is itching to get back and we are glad he is fit because he is a good player who has, unfortunately, had more or less a year out due to injury through no fault of his own. His injuries have been major and he has needed operations. That is just bad luck. He is busting a gut to get back and show us what he can do.”

Teenage striker Stockley offered Cherries’ biggest goal threat throughout and his rasping 20-yard drive went close to giving them the lead in the ninth minute. However, chances were at a premium during the opening period and Cooper volleyed inches wide on the stroke of half-time.

Stockley finally broke the deadlock when he powered his header past Rovers goalkeeper Matt Bulman from close range after Partington had teed him up.

However, Cherries were caught napping from a free-kick just seven minutes later when James Rowe’s effort squeezed in at the far post after he had been released by Chris Todd.

Garry added: “I was very disappointed with how we played in the first half. We didn’t really ever have control of the game the way I would have liked. I thought we were better in the second half against a Forest Green side who made it hard for us. I came away a bit frustrated more than anything.

“The goal we conceded was from a free-kick. They broke down the side of our wall, played the ball across and it went in. You would like to think you would go a goal up and win the game but, unfortunately, we drew.”

Cherries: Seabright, Case, Zubar (Maybury, h-t), Barrett (Lindsay, h-t), Bowles, Cooper (Partington, 61), Blackmore, Hester, Ward, Parsons, Stockley. Unused subs: Moth, Collins (g/k).