Late goals from Matty Godden and Todd Kane earned Coventry City a 2-2 draw at Vitality Stadium as AFC Bournemouth missed the opportunity to return to the Championship summit.
Godden struck five minutes from time to make it 2-1 before Kane’s cross crept in at the far post deep in added time.
Goals either side of half-time from Jaidon Anthony and Phil Billing had put the Cherries in the driving seat but Jefferson Lerma’s sending off proved a major talking point and turning point.
Steve Cook was drafted in for his first Championship appearance of the season as head coach Scott Parker made three changes following the 1-1 draw at Millwall on Wednesday.
Skipper Steve Cook replaced Gary Cahill, who sustained a rib injury at The Den, while Lewis Cook and Billing also returned to the starting line-up.
Billing robbed Fankaty Dabo of possession in the opening stages but was unable to pick out Dominic Solanke with a cross.
Steve Cook did well to intercept Kane’s dangerous centre, the Coventry winger’s next cross finding Godden.
But after he had tried his luck with an audacious backheel, the Cherries were relieved to see Chris Mepham in the right place to block.
Lewis Cook fashioned the first shooting chance for the Cherries with Sky Blues goalkeeper Simon Moore scrambling to his right to save the midfielder’s 20-yarder.
Referee David Coote was unmoved when Solanke went to ground under Fankaty’s challenge inside the penalty midway through the first half.
Mark Travers gathered comfortably after Ben Sheaf had tried his luck from distance before Ryan Christie’s speculative effort flew past the upright.
Godden failed to connect with Kane’s driven cross before Moore cut out Jack Stacey’s first-time centre with Solanke ready to pounce on any slips from the goalkeeper.
As the Cherries upped the tempo towards the end of the first half, another cross from Stacey was cleared before the breakthrough came in the final seconds.
Referee Coote played a good advantage after Kyle McFadzean had gone through the back of Christie, the defender later booked for the foul.
And after the ball had found its way to Anthony via Lewis Cook near the touchline, he delivered what looked like a cross which eluded Moore and sailed in at the far post to give the Cherries the lead.
Early in the second half, Steve Cook was unfortunate to receive a booking for a challenge on Sheaf with replays showing he made a clean tackle and won the ball.
Steve Cook then made a couple of important headed clearances as Coventry applied some pressure on the Cherries goal in search of an equaliser.
Christie’s delightful pass with the outside of his boot created an opening for Billing but he could only poke the ball wide from a tight angle after Moore had closed him down.
Billing drilled a free-kick straight at the Coventry wall before the ball was recycled out to Anthony on the left flank.
And after he had delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, Billing arrived ahead of his marker to delicately cushion it into the back of the net midway through the second half.
However, just two minutes later, the Cherries were reduced to ten men when Lerma received a straight red card after being deemed by referee Coote to have tripped Godden.
Stacey threw himself bravely in front Kane’s effort after the resultant free-kick had been worked back to him 25 yards from goal.
Moore stuck out his left hand to save Solanke’s downward header after Anthony had crossed before the Sky Blues halved the deficit with five minutes remaining.
Godden was on hand to fire home from close range and through a crowd of players after Liam Kelly’s deflected cross had eventually fallen for him.
Travers beat away Kane's fiercely-struck free-kick and also pushed Godden's angled drive over the crossbar.
But disaster struck for the Cherries deep in added time when Kane's cross found the back of the net to make it 2-2.
AFC Bournemouth: Travers, Stacey, Lerma, S Cook, Mepham, Anthony (Marcondes, 90), Billing, L Cook, Kilkenny (Ibsen Rossi, 87), Christie (Davis, 78), Solanke.
Unused subs: Moriah-Welsh, Rogers, Lowe, Nyland (g/k).
Booked: Steve Cook, Mepham.
Sent off: Lerma.
Coventry City: Moore, Dabo, McFadzean, Hyam, Kane, Kelly, Sheaf (Jones, 85), Maatsen (Walker, 90), Allen (Gyokeres, 63), O’Hare, Godden.
Unused subs: Shipley, Eccles, Wilson (g/k).
Booked: McFadzean.
Referee: David Coote.
Community draw results:
1st prize - £450 – 065675
2nd prize - £200 – 066828
3rd prize - £100 – 065980
4th prize – Choice of console and controller skin bundle - 065375
