Jeff Goulding’s 93rd minute strike earned second placed Bournemouth a point against promotion rivals Notts County in a lively encounter at Meadow Lane.
The late goal also ended County manager Steve Cotterill’s 100 percent record as manager, and denied them the opportunity to leapfrog the visitors into second place in League Two.
Bournemouth began the match more aggressively, and were unlucky not to be a goal up within five minutes after Alan Connell’s shot was cleared off the line by Notts County defender John Thompson.
But it was the home side who drew first blood on 22 minutes, when Rhoys Wiggins conceded a penalty for tripping Notts County midfielder Ben Davies just inside the area.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Shwan Jalal only managed to parry Lee Hughes’ spot kick back into the path of the veteran striker, who was quickest to react to score his 25th goal of the season.
The Magpies could have been 2-0 up five minutes later when Ben Davies’ clever looping strike over Jalal found the back of the net – only to be ruled out by the linesman who adjudged Davies to be offside.
The visitors drew level early in the second half when Brett Pittman’s low 25-yard free kick beat Kasper Schmeichel, denying the Danish keeper his fifth successive clean sheet.
But Notts County regained the lead three minutes later when Ben Davies’ dangerous cross found Hughes in the penalty area, to head the ball past Jalal for his second goal of the night.
In the closing stages of the game, Bournemouth had a great chance to equalise when Brett Pittman’s parried header fell to the feet of Liam Freeney in the penalty area, but the midfield could only find the side netting.
It looked as if Notts County were on course to claim all three points until Liam Bradbury’s cross fell to Jeff Goulding from twelve yards out, whose shot bobbled past Schmeichel to snatch a point in injury time.
Man of the Match – Lee Hughes
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