Plymouth Argyle missed a penalty, had another four shouts for a spot-kick turned down, and hit the woodwork four times as defensive Bournemouth frustrated the Second Division leaders.
Substitute Paul Wotton was the man guilty of spurning the opportunity finally given to the Pilgrims by referee Barry Knight eight minutes before half-time after Marino Keith was bundled over by Marcus Browning. Goalkeeper Neil Moss got down smartly to keep his mis-hit drive out.
Mickey Evans, twice, David Norris and David Friio also rattled the frame of the goal as the Pilgrims laid siege to Bournemouth's goal for much of the second half.
It was clearly not Argyle's day. Knight, who famously did not see William Gallas' televised handball for Chelsea against Scarborough in the FA Cup, incurred the anger of their players by turning down three pretty clear claims for handball and one for a foul.
The Cherries, who gave a full debut to on-loan Danish midfielder Claus Jorgensen, had few chances throughout the match.
James Hayter lifted the ball over the crossbar in the first half, and forced Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick into a rare save in the second, and Jorgensen saw a header tipped over the crossbar.
Otherwise, it was all Plymouth. They almost took a first-half lead through some brilliant skill from Nathan Lowndes, who beat two men and was only denied a clear shot at goal by a desperate late tackle.
Evans also twice went close with second-half headers. The first, from Lowndes' quick break went over; the second, from Paul Connolly's cross, was saved easily by Moss.