Bournemouth 2 Swindon 2

Last updated : 27 August 2003 By Tim

Bournemouth stormed back to earn a point and deny Swindon the opportunity to head the Second Division.

Swindon had the better of the first half and led 2-1 at the interval, but Bournemouth came back to equalise and almost snatched the winner.

Swindon deserved their lead after 18 minutes through the influential Tommy Mooney whose goal was his fourth in successive games.

Bournemouth failed to clear a corner on the left from Sammy Igoe and Mooney scored from close range.

But spirited Bournemouth came back to equalise four minutes later when Gareth O'Connor took a free kick on the left and fellow Dubliner Shaun Maher, making his first start in 11 months, was unmarked at the far post when he headed it.

Swindon's superiority was confirmed when they went ahead in the 35th minute when Steve Robinson scored from an almost identical position to Mooney after Stefani Miglioranzi had found him a few yards out.

There were bookings for Swindon's Andy Gurney and Bournemouth's Marcus Browning for fouls before the end of a competitive first half.

But Swindon faded after the break and Bournemouth several times came close to an equaliser.

A break by Warren Feeney set up a shooting chance for Gareth O'Connor after 52 minutes but his shot rebounded off the legs of goalkeeper Bart Griemink.

Then Feeney hit the outside of the post with a rasping right-foot drive.

But Bournemouth were not to be denied and after 61 minutes they fashioned an equaliser when Feeney centred from the left and James Hayter scored with a firm header.

Swindon's David Duke was booked for a foul after 66 minutes as the Swindon goal came under siege, but Swindon still had chances to snatch the winner.

Matt Hewlett shot over from 15 yards and a shot from Miglioranzi with three minutes later was held on his line by the diving Neil Moss.