Vale started the brighter of the two sides and Michael Cummins went close in the 12th minute when Nathan Lowndes' pass allowed him to shoot, but the ball looped over the bar.
We took a surprise lead a minute later with a well taken goal by Garreth O'Connor. Picking the ball up in the middle of the Vale half, the Irishman jinked his way past three defenders before hammering a right-foot shot underneath Jonathan Brain from 18 yards. I've downloaded the goal from Cherries World, and it really is a cracker!
But that was about as good as it got, as the Valiants equalised barely 5 minutes later when Steve Rowland's cross from the left was met with the faintest of touches from close range by Billy Paynter, despite the close attentions of Shaun Mayer. I make that 11 games since we kept a clean sheet. Clearly the defence needs looking at.
The Cherries counter-attacked and Wade Eliott was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a delightful chip when one-on-one with the Vale keeper following an excellent through ball from O'Connor.
However, the hosts continued to dominate and added a second after 34 minutes with a swift move down the left flank, Robin Hulbert's cross evading Neil Moss for Christopher Birchall to head in at the back post. Again a defender (this time Eddie Howe) was on hand, but unable to prevent the goal. Not the first goal we've conceded this season from a simple cross and header.
HT: 2-1
Another bright start after the break saw more chances created for Martin Foyle's men, however they failed to increase their lead.
Nathan Lowndes still could not get his first for the club when Paynter's chest down inside the box gave him the opportunity to shoot but the striker ballooned the ball over.
Paynter almost made the game safe when he beat Karl Broadhurst and Eddie Howe but his left foot let him down with a weak shot that Moss saved comfortably.
Despite a lot of possession, we failed to carve out a real opportunity in the second half. Late on, Wade Elliott's stinging 25-yard shot flew over, but we were never at the races today.
By all accounts, this was one of the Cherries' worst performance of the season - and we couldn't blame the pitch either! In his post-match comments, Sean O'Driscoll dismissed suggestions that all the travelling (around 2000 miles in recent weeks) was the cause of the team's poor showing. He was clearly displeased with their attitude and promptly arranged a friendly against Dorchester in mid-week to try to sort things out and keep our play-off challenge alive.
Difficult to pick anyone out, but I'll give it to Gaz for an outstanding goal.AFCB: Moss, Cummings, Howe, Maher, Broadhurst (Browning 84), Elliott O’Connor, Spicer, Stock , Hayter (Holmes 67), Fletcher (Connell 67).
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Purches
Ellis Griffin, Chertsey