Rotherham United grabbed a useful point on the south coast after a hard fought goalless draw with Bournemouth.
The Millers were made to work hard for the point against a well organised Bournemouth outfit who almost grabbed the victory late on when veteran midfielder Darren Anderton smashed the inside of the post.
After a stagnated start to the game by both teams it was Bournemouth who carved out the first chance when Cherries new signing Michael Rankine looped a header on to the roof of Andy Warrington's net.
On 10 minutes the Cherries mounted their second attack when Rankine cushioned a long ball into the path of Sammy Igoe but the former Portsmouth midfielder fired well over from 20 yards. Bournemouth went even closer soon after when Lee Bradbury hammered in a shot which was scrambled off the line, the re-bound fell to Danny Hollands but his effort from 18 yards clipped the outside of the post.
Bournemouth continued to boss proceedings and after 23 minutes former England International Darren Anderton tried his luck from the edge of the area but Warrington made a good stop low to his right.
On 32 minutes the Millers almost conceded in comical style when after a goalmouth scramble the ball rolled towards the goal off the boot of Rankine. Andy Nicholas then attempted to clear off the line but the ball rebounded off Warrington and fell just wide.
The Cherries then missed the best chance of the first half after 43 minutes when Joel Ward was played through on goal but Warrington came out and made a great save low down. The Millers responded with their first meaningful effort of the half when Micky Cummins shot from 20 yards through a crowd of players but Shwan Jalal was alert and made a sharp stop.
Half time
Bournemouth 0 v 0 Rotherham United
The Millers made a positive opening to the half and had the first effort on 50 minutes when Mark Hudson latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area but blazed well over the bar. Millers boss Mark Robins was then forced into a change after Nick Fenton failed to recover from a knock he received in the first half and he was replaced by Marc Joseph.
Bournemouth had been a little slow out of the blocks but after 56 minutes Igoe gave a reminder of what the Cherries were capable of when his 25 yard strike sailed just over Warrington's crossbar. The Millers hit straight back when on 58 minutes Joseph collected a knockdown and smashed an effort from 18 yards which was parried by Jalal.
The game was now flowing from end to end with the Cherries next to go close on the hour mark when the lively Igoe hit another effort from long range just wide of the target. Buoyed by the opportunity, the Cherries flooded forward and missed a glorious chance on 62 minutes when Lee Bradbury crossed low to find Anderton but his shot flew over the bar from eight yards out.
With time running out the Millers were given a huge let off when Anderton struck a powerful drive from distance which beat Warrington but fortunately for Rotherham the ball smashed the inside of the post and ran to safety.
Full time
Bournemouth 0 v 0 Rotherham United
Bournemouth: Jalal; Guyett, Cooper, Pearce, Bartley, Igoe (Pitman 65), Anderton, Hollands, Ward, Bradbury, Rankine (McQuoid 83).
Subs not used: Pryce, Sturrock, Partington.
Rotherham: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Fenton (Joseph 53), Nicholas, Hudson (Harrison 85), Mills, Cummins, Rhodes, Reid, Broughton (Barker 65).
Subs not used: Cann, Burchill.
