CHERRIES starred on Sky TV on Saturday afternoon (Sept 6) but they will not want to see a repeat episode after City spoilt the show at Dean Court.

Sean O'Driscoll's side just couldn't find the net and recorded their third consecutive home draw of the season.

Cherries are still waiting to win at Dean Court and this result was all the more disappointing since Bournemouth produced yet another trademark display of passing football.

While the commanding Carl Fletcher dictated proceedings at the back, Marcus Browning controlled midfield with the help of the composed young Stephen Purches.

Cherries' tricky duo Garreth O'Connor and Wade Elliott also caused constant problems while up front the towering Steve Fletcher made his aerial presence felt.

But a breakthrough proved illusive.

Elliott chipped over on twelve minutes and the darting O'Connor fired at goalkeeper Steve Phillips just four minutes later.

City, who reached the second division play-off semi-finals last season, also looked dangerous and only a timely Carl Fletcher tackle had prevented a threatening cross from Wilkshire reaching the menacing Peacock.

Carl Fletcher then found himself booked for a foul on Aaron Brown and the following free kick was glanced wide by Peacock, a former Manchester City danger man bought by Bristol City for £600,000.

But classy Cherries continued to enjoy possession and a great pass from Elliott inside the penalty area reached Purches on 37 minutes but his shot was tipped over the bar.

Cherries continued to pressurise in the second half and a deep O'Connor cross was nodded wide by Steve Fletcher on 51 minutes.

Good work by Cummings and O'Connor down the left side then set up Elliott with a chance but the midfielder shot just wide of the post.

Striker James Hayter also treated the 6,756 crowd to a spot of ball juggling before shooting over the bar.

Danny Thomas replaced Cherries defender Warren Cummings on 76 minutes to inject fresh pace into the home side's attack. But it was City who then came close with a Peacock header that went wide of the post.

After 83 minutes, a floated Thomas cross was headed over by Cherries' Steve Fletcher before City's Matt Hill was booked for a foul on James Hayter as Cherries battled in vain for the goal which would have secured all three points.

Cherries manager Sean O'Driscoll said afterwards: "We are pleased with the way we played and performed.

"It was always going to be a tight game. Both sides played in a very similar way and it has been a good ten-round sparring match with not a hair's breadth between the two sides."

Karl Broadhurst, the Cherries central defender, named Sky's man of the match, said: "We are obviously disappointed not to win but I thought our defence coped well with Roberts and Peacock (City's strike force).

The earlier kick off meant that players had to eat earlier than usual and I thought both teams were looking pretty tired by the end."