Wade Elliott posted two early contenders for the goal of the season award as Cherries twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium today.

James Hayter, lively throughout the first half for Cherries, was denied a shooting chance as early as the second minute when Cambridge defender Terry Fleming recovered to make a saving tackle.

From the resultant corner, taken by Hayter, Carl Fletcher dragged a 25-yard effort wide of the post.

Cambridge took the lead after four minutes when a long throw from Des Byrne was punched by Cherries' goalkeeper Gareth Stewart straight into the path of Alex REVELL, who headed the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Cherries tried to hit back but Chukki Eribenne was denied by Cambridge goalkeeper Lionel Perez following a sharp turn and shot from just inside the box.

Hayter sent over another cross which was met by Gareth O'Connor, who scooped his effort over the crossbar when well placed.

Hayter was then denied himself by a flying save from Perez before Eribenne again fired wide from the edge of the box.

But Cherries finally made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when Wade ELLIOTT bagged a wonder-goal, finding the top left-hand corner of Perez's net with a delightful curling right-foot shot from around 25 yards.

It was no more than Sean O'Driscoll's side deserved, having created most of the running in the first period and withstanding the predictable aerial bombardment from John Beck's men. Half-time:

Cambridge 1

Bournemouth 1

Cherries made a bright start to the second half and when Hayter crossed from the left, Eribenne fired his shot into the side-netting.

Then, Elliott crossed from the opposite flank and Perez pulled off a splendid save from Hayter's header.

Both sides had a player booked, with Shaun Maher booked for a foul on David Kitson and Dean Walling yellow-carded for bringing down Eribenne.

Sandwiched between the two cautions, Kitson crashed a header against the post following a cross from the right by Ashbee.

Tom Youngs curled a shot wide before Carl Fletcher drilled a rasping 25-yard shot just past the post.

Cambridge regained the lead when Terry Fleming crossed from the right and, although Ashbee's initial shot was charged down, the ball fell to KITSON, who smashed it home from 15 yards.

Five minutes from time, ELLIOTT repeated his first half heroics when he curled home another beauty, this time with his left foot, to make it 2-2.

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