Bowery nets point saver

The close-season signing from Aston Villa headed his first for the club in stoppage time after Steve Cook’s effort had looked like giving the home side the points.

Fielding three debutants in Luciano Becchio, Frazer Richardson and Jonson Clarke-Harris, the Millers had to do plenty of defending in warm conditions, with Kari Arnason again in commanding form at the back.

After a drab first half, the match came to life soon after the break and there was a lucky escape when Bournemouth’s top scorer, Callum Wilson, hit the post. Then, on 59 minutes, the pressure paid off as Matt Richie was played in and his cross from the byline was nodded in by Cook.

Manager Steve Evans subbed Becchio, Clarke-Harris and Ben Pringle in the hunt for an equaliser.  Alex Revell came on and went close to converting a cross from fellow sub Matt Derbyshire and Arnason curled wide of the upright.

But with time running out, Bowery got his head to a corner from Paul Taylor to bag Rotherham's first draw since their return to the Championship.

Bournemouth: Camp, Cook, Daniels, Francis, Elphick (capt), Arter, O’Kane, Ritchie, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson

Millers: Collin, Richardson, Skarz, Morgan (capt), Arnason, Pringle (Derbyshire 64), Smallwood, Green, Clarke-Harris (Bowery 55), Becchio (Revell 49), Taylor

Referee: Graham Horwood

Attendance: 8,480 (492 visitors)