Skipper Brandon Channell netted his first youth team goal in the 1-1 draw away to a strong Plymouth Argyle side, though an unfortunate late own goal pegged the Cherries back.

Euan Pollock had a shot well saved in the first half on Saturday, while 'keeper Josh Clarke remained largely untested at the other end, the teams going in goalless at the interval.

After the restart, Jake Adams and Michael Dacosta Gonzalez saw left-footed efforts saved, though Plymouth started to create more, Clarke making a big blocking save to keep the scores level with a flicked Pilgrims header also just passing the post.

The game in the balance, Adams crossed, Marcus Daws headed on and Channell arrived for his first ever goal in the youth team in the 70th minute.

However, five minutes later Abdi Mohamed put through is own net to redress the scores. Both teams went for a winner with the draw a fair reflection of the encounter.

Speaking after the match, Alan Connell gave his reaction to afcb.co.uk on a hard-fought away point.

"Coming in, we knew this was going to be one of the toughest games of the season," he said. "We've had three games against Plymouth in the last month and have been on the right end of the result in the cup, with the other two games draws.

"They're a good team and an academy that's going to get better and better with Darren Way doing a really good job there with his staff.

"It was a ding-dong battle, end to end and very competitive. It resembled almost a proper men's game of football. That's great because we want our boys to step up and have those experiences.

"It was an entertaining game to watch and I was pleased, we had quite a few missing today for different reasons and Matt Burgess had to come off with and injury. 

"It was one of those days where you leave at 7am, wanting the players to dig deep in our last competitive game before Christmas, we wanted that one last big effort and they gave absolutely everything.

"They defended well when we had to, our quality on the ball could have been better at times, we looked a little bit loose but then Plymouth pressed us impressively and sometimes we played out with some nice football.

"It was a good challenge and a game we'll be better for. I'm disappointed we didn't win the game, as are the players, it was almost a classic away performance to show loads of character but there was just one moment that cost us with the own goal."

With youth team matchday squads often affected by the older Cherries teams' games, Connell was without 16-year-old Ajani Burchall, promoted to the first team for the Championship match with Huddersfield.

The absence, however, opened doors for other members of the academy setup.

"Ajani got the call up which is great news for everyone and for our academy in general," said Connell.

"Him not being here meant we made a change, Owen Palmer stepping in and playing further forward than normal, where he did well.

"Then Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, who's 16 and Ajani's age, came on and had a positive impact on the game in the last half hour.

"That's the beauty of players progressing and getting their opportunities. Michael's now played in two of the last three games and it was a really good day for the academy all round.

"We didn't win the game but had lots of positive to take into next week and the new year."