With the wind behind them, the Cherries created the first chance as Rankine managed to head a looping ball goal wards, sadly, the ball went just wide, even though many in the East Stand thought that it had snuck in by the far post. Despite a bright opening 15 minutes or so, the only chances that were created were two half hit headers which were easy for the Chesterfield keeper to deal with.
The Cherries should have taken the lead in the 25th minute when Igoe thread through a lovely ball to set up a 2-on-1 chance for the Cherries. Sadly Carson in the Chesterfield goal was alive to the threat and was quickly out to deny the advancing front men.
Even though the Cherries had clearly been putting in to practice, Jimmy Quinn's wish for them to close down the opposition quickly and effectively, they failed to do so in the 34th minute. The ever dangerous Ward managed to wriggle free of our own Ward to cross the ball in to the box. Jalal parried the first shot on target, but the ball fell to Kerry for him to slot the ball home.
Further embarrassment was almost caused after Cooper gave away a sloppy pass a few minutes later. Ward picked up the loose ball to set up Lester with a 1-on-1 opportunity. Thankfully Jalal produced a great one handed save to deny an almost certain goal.
HT: 0-1
The second half wasn't much better to be honest ....... the Cherries still tried to press forward, without having too much of a cutting edge. Chesterfield also pressed forward, but were thwarted by some stubborn defending. Neither keeper had anything meaningful to do throughout the second half.
The Cherries managed to get themselves level with 7 minutes left on the clock when Anderton headed back across goal for Goodall to put in to his own net. The ball probably was going in anyway (hard to tell from our angle), but it was kind of him to help the ball in.
A moment of controversy came just after we equalised as the keeper picked up a clear and deliberate back pass. Why a free kick wasn't give is beyond me and most of the home support.
Overall, I think the draw was a fair result in difficult conditions.
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Jalal - shame he let the ball slip for their opener. Didin't have anything to do otherwise.
Guyett - had a quiet game.
Cooper - one mistake was almost costly. Otherwise a steady display.
Pearce - calm and confident at the back.
Cummings - a few wayward passes, which brough some derision from the home support.
Igoe - outstanding in midfield, caused all sorts of problems.
Anderton - steady performance.
Hollands - industrious in midfield.
Ward - close to getting the MOM award today for an excellent display on the right with Bradbury our through suspecsion.
Molesley - did okay this afternoon.
Rankine - did his best with some poor support at times.
Bartley - caused all sorts of problems when he came on.
Pitman - industrious when he came on.
Goulding - a quiet final 15 mins or so when he was brought on.
AFCB: Jalal, Guyett, Pearce, Cooper, Cummings, Anderton, Igoe, Ward, Hollands, Molesley, Rankine
Subs: Pryce, Lindfield, Pitman (for Hollands, 63 mins), Bartley (for Igoe, 69 mins), Goulding (for Rankine, 76 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth