Dominic Sadi’s finely-executed goal earned AFC Bournemouth a share of the points from a 1-1 draw with Professional Development League counterparts Sheffield Wednesday.

Sadi, who celebrated his 20^th birthday on Saturday, netted with a sublime strike to give Alan Connell’s development squad the lead in the 16^th minute at Vitality Stadium.

Although the Cherries had chances to extend their advantage, they were pegged back when Adam Adetoro levelled for the Owls ten minutes from time.

Darren Randolph, Gavin Kilkenny and Marcus Tavernier all started as Cherries boss Connell named a strong team to face the Owls.

Fifth in Group North ahead of kick-off, Sheffield Wednesday were unbeaten heading into the behind-closed-doors contest having beaten Watford and drawn with Millwall and Cardiff.

Bailey Cadamarteri looked to capitalise after Max Kinsey-Wellings had slipped on the edge of the 18-yard box but the Cherries skipper recovered and cleared his lines.

Referee Anthony Cross waved away claims for a penalty after Dominic Sadi had gone to ground under a challenge by Owls defender Jay Glover.

Tavernier’s defence-splitting pass released Finn Tonks on the right but his low cross was smothered by goalkeeper Jack Hall.

A driving run by Tavernier ended with the ball arriving at the feet of Sadi whose first-time effort cleared the crossbar.

Sadi opened the scoring with a delightful finish in the 16th minute, the frontman working his way into the box before finding the top corner with a delicate left-foot shot despite the best efforts of Hall to keep it out.

Kinsey-Wellings climbed at the far post to meet Kilkenny’s deep cross, the defender’s header saved by Hall midway through the first half.

Sadi went close to doubling the Cherries’ lead, his venomous strike narrowly clearing the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

Tavernier and Kian Tydeman both made way at the interval with Ben Winterburn and Remy Rees-Dottin coming on to replace them. 

Early in the second half, Jack Wadham worked hard to win possession and then saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Hall.

Wadham’s header from Kilkenny’s 65^th-minute free-kick was cleared only as far as Noa Boutin whose effort from close range was charged down by a defender.

Randolph was called into action for the first time in the 67^th minute, the goalkeeper beating away a stinging drive from Favour Onukwuli.

The visitors restored parity when Adam Adetoro poked home from close range after being picked out by Jay Glover’s cross ten minutes from time.

Winterburn volleyed over after Sadi’s centre had fallen invitingly for him before Kilkenny’s piledriver also cleared the woodwork.

AFC Bournemouth: Randolph, Tonks (Okoh, 90), Boutin, Wadham, Kinsey-Wellings, Harris, Williams (Landa, 86), Kilkenny, Tydeman (Winterburn, h/t), Sadi, Tavernier (Rees-Dottin, h/t).

Unused sub: Crisp (g/k).

Sheffield Wednesday: Hall, Siqueira (Flannery, 78), Reed, Adetoro, Maltby, Glover, Fusire, Shipston, Cadamarteri, Buchan (Cook, 56), Onukwuli (Wilson, 78).

Unused subs: Phuthi, Jackson (g/k).

Referee: Anthony Cross.