Battling Cherries secured their first point of the season thanks to a superb double strike from Steve Fletcher at Dean Court.

Chances were few and far between during the opening exchanges with both teams battling for midfield supremacy.

A timely Carl Fletcher tackle in the first minute prevented Betsy from breaking through and Barnsley's towering Rory Fallon was posing problems for the Bournemouth defence.

On 18 minutes Barnsley's Anthony Kay shot from 20 yards and Moss did well to palm the ball away from his right post. Moments later the best chance fell to Cherries. A trademark Steve Fletcher head down reached Hayter whose shot struck keeper Ilic and rebounded back to the striker. But Hayter could not make his second chance count either.

The Cherries breakthrough came in the 26th minute when Hayter provided an excellent cross from the right which was met by the soaring Steve Fletcher whose superbly placed header flew past Ilic.

Two minutes later a flowing Cherries move saw an O'Connor lob just miss the far post. But on 37 minutes Barnsley were level after Kay got the better of Cummings on the edge of the penalty area. The ball reached Craig Ireland who crashed the ball to the roof of the net from 20 yards.

Two minutes later Steve Fletcher gave Cherries the lead again when he reacted first to a penalty area mix up and shot home while seated on the ground.

A great run from James Hayter on 45 minutes then saw the striker unluckily hit the post. Halftime:

Cherries 2 Barnsley 1

Hayter blasted over on 46minutes but a Cummings slip seven minutes later put Barnsley's Betsy through but his dipping shot soared over the bar.

Then the visitors equalised against the run of play when the weaving GORRE slipped between Carl Fletcher and Elliott and slotted past Moss on 56 minutes.

Steve Fletcher had a glorious chance to score his third he was put through. However his shot was well saved by Ilic.

Feeney skipped around goalkeeper Ilic only to see Craig Ireland clear off the line.

Cherries pressure continued and O'Connor saw a well struck shot palmed away by Ilic. Then Hayter's cross for Steve Fletcher saw the striker's header loop over .

Full time: Cherries 2 Barnsley 2

FOR A FULL REPORT ON CHERRIES' MATCH AGAINST BARNSLEY SEE SPORT ON MONDAY IN MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO