Goalkeeper Mark Travers spared Bournemouth’s blushes to send Eddie Howe’s men into the third round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win after a goalless draw at home to Forest Green.
Travers saved all three of the League Two visitors’ spot-kicks from Joseph Mills, Kevin Dawson and James Morton as the Premier League side triumphed in the shootout.
Jordon Ibe also saw his penalty saved by the heroic Jojo Wollacott but Joshua King, Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing converted for the hosts.
It's a penalty shootout win for @afcbournemouth!#EFL | #CarabaoCuppic.twitter.com/lWvyBzlHVW— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 28, 2019
Bournemouth had the better of the first half but needed a goal-line clearance from captain Andrew Surman to avoid falling behind six minutes before the break.
The Cherries’ defence failed to deal with a Dayle Grubb corner and, when Matt Stevens flicked the ball goalwards, Surman found himself in the right place to hoist it away.
That goal would have been against the run of play after Bournemouth laid siege on the Rovers goal early on.
Callum Wilson blazed an effort wide after only three minutes before namesake Harry forced a smart save from Wollacott following a neat link-up with Solanke.
💪💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/eGPuMWLBiZ— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) August 28, 2019
Substitute King could not squeeze his shot past the onrushing Wollacott from an acute angle early in the second half.
The home side had another let off after 69 minutes when Nathan McGuinley’s deflected effort wrong-footed goalkeeper Mark Travers before finding the side-netting.
Bournemouth debutant Jack Stacey looked to have come up with the breakthrough 16 minutes from time only for his shot to strike the base of the post and stay out.
Wollacott then made another superb save to deny King from point-blank range before the match went to penalties.
