Fraser’s face-off costs Glovers
YEOVIL Town are still battling for their Championship life after they were denied victory by one of the most bizarre goals of the season.
The Glovers took the lead through a 20-yard volley from rookie striker Kieffer Moore and knew a victory would provide a massive boost to their relegation fight.
But Bournemouth levelled on the hour mark when winger Ryan Fraser deflected the ball into the net with his face.
The Scot closed down a clearance from Byron Webster and saw the ball cannon off him and loop into the top corner of the Yeovil goal.
Fraser sustained a cut lip in the process of scoring – but it was Yeovil manager Gary Johnson left feeling the pain after his side were pegged back.
He said:“We're gutted with the way they got the equaliser although we are happy with the way we played.
“Our hopes of avoiding relegation are still alive but it was so cruel the way they got their goal because I felt we deserved to win.
“It was a complete freak.There was only one place the ball could have gone into the net and that's where it ended up.
“I can't dwell on it too much or I'll end up slashing my wrists so I've got to look at the positives of our performance.
“We played some good football and Kieffer Moore scored a brilliant goal for us to go with a great all-round display. I hope now everyone can see what a good player he is.”
Bournemouth saw their fivegame winning run grind to a halt despite Fraser's fortunate intervention.
The draw does nothing to enhance the Cherries' play-off hopes, but boss Eddie Howe insists they won't give up in their pursuit of a top six finish.
He said: “We'll just keep going. We've got four games left this season now and we'll try to win them all.
“We'll never give up. Who know's what's in store? Who knows how many points we need and who will take that sixth spot?
“We weren't at our best today and physically we looked a little bit tired with all the exertions of recent weeks and the games we've had.
“We looked a little bit leggy but I still felt the game could have gone either way, both teams were going for the three points. Both teams' attitude was excellent.
Both teams wasted good early chances to take the lead as Matt Ritchie blazed over the bar for Bournemouth before James Hayter missed from close range for Yeovil.
Fraser then forced a good save from Glovers keeper Marek Stech before the home side took the lead on 26 minutes.
Moore latched on to a headed clearance and slammed a firsttime volley into the net, giving Cherries' keeper Lee Camp no chance.
Before the break, Bournemouth's top scorer Lewis Grabban created an opportunity to level with a brilliant turn past Webster but then lost his composure and shot well wide.
In the second half, Yeovil defender Shane Duffy came close with a header from a corner, but on the hour the visitors equalised with a freak goal.
Webster tried to blast the ball clear but it hit Fraser and from 15 yards out it looped into the net.