Gould and Boston celebrate their first League goal

The Cherries took the lead after eight minutes when Maher rose unmarked in the Boston area and headed home from six yards.

Bournemouth, relegated from Division Two last season, were making their experience count against the newcomers.

And the visitors would have increased their lead only for Boston keeper Paul Bastock to make a scrambling save from a James Hayter shot.

Bournemouth kept Boston on the back foot throughout the opening period with Hayter and Wade Elliot going close to extending the visitors' lead.

The Pilgrims did not even trouble opposing keeper Chris Tardif with an effort on target during the first half.

But Boston were inadvertently given a helping hand by Bournemouth when Neil Young scored an own goal from a home free-kick after 52 minutes.

Two minutes later Boston took the lead through a fine shot from James Gould.

But the home side barely had time to celebrate an unlikely advantage before Brian Stock equalised immediately for Bournemouth.

Both sides had chances to earn three points as the game turned into an end-to-end affair before finishing on equal terms.