Chesterfield 1 Bournemouth 1

Last updated : 02 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Chesterfield put an end to a six-match losing streak but a late equaliser by Steve Fletcher gave Bournemouth a point in an open and entertaining game at Saltergate.

Marvin Robinson put Chesterfield in front with a chip from just inside the area in the 33rd minute but Fletcher turned in a cross from the right ten minutes from the end of normal time.

Both teams had chances to win the game but Spireites keeper Carl Muggleton made several fine saves and Robinson could not match the accuracy of his earlier finish when he blazed over early in the second half.

Chesterfield had come into the game on the back of their worst ever start to a season and Bournemouth had the better openings in the first 20 minutes but Steve Fletcher and Warren Feeney failed to take advantage.

An injury to centre half Shaun Maher in the 32nd minute forced the Cherries into a reshuffle and they were still sorting themselves out when Jamie Cade put Robinson in on the right and he lifted the ball over the advancing Neil Moss.

That lifted the home side's confidence and Chris Brandon should have increased their lead when he volleyed over in the 50th minute after Carl Fletcher failed to cut out a cross.

A mix-up between Moss and Karl Broadhurst gave Robinson the best chance of the night but he fired over an open goal while Bournemouth also wasted chances after manager Sean O'Driscoll made a double substitution.

Derek Holmes missed the first when he dragged a shot wide in the 66th minute and Steve Fletcher again failed to find a telling finish when he was clear on goal in the 75th minute.

But Bournemouth at last made their neat approach work pay as James Hayter whipped in a cross from the right, and when Steve Blatherwick failed to clear Steve Fletcher nudged the ball past Muggleton.