DELIGHTED Jason Tindall watched Cherries end their winless run with an odds-defying victory at Reading and then urged the Dorset outfit to build on it.

The assistant boss lavished praise on Cherries after first-half goals from Lewis Grabban and Matt Ritchie had secured a deserved 2-1 success at Madejski Stadium this afternoon.

Cherries, with just one win in their previous 11 league games and without a victory in seven attempts, soaked up early pressure from the Royals before showing a ruthless streak with two quickfire strikes.

After the break, Grabban and Marc Pugh went close but despite Adam Le Fondre reducing the deficit in stoppage time, Cherries claimed maximum points.

Tindall said: “That had to be close to our best performance of the season. In recent weeks, we had performed well but something had always let us down. This time, we were good all round. All the lads were terrific.

“It was really important to come to Reading, to perform well and to get this kind of result. It will build confidence and spirit. We want to build on this performance and take it forward into the Christmas period.

“If we trip up against Birmingham and don’t build on this performance, it will be a real missed opportunity, so it is important we stay focused, believe in what we are doing, stick to our principles and put in a similar kind of performance in the next game.”

Goalscorer Grabban netted for the eighth time this season and he produced arguably one of his best displays since joining the club in summer 2012.

Tindall said: “Lewis was excellent. Not only did he score, his all-round performance was terrific.

“I am sure that when the centre-halves came in after the game, they knew they had endured a tough afternoon.

“He got his goal but he performed extremely well for the team. You have to do that when you come to places like this to play a team which is unbeaten at home.

“You have to press them and work hard and, to a man, we did that. Lewis had a big responsibility, being up front on his own, and he delivered so we were absolutely delighted with his performance, together with everybody else’s.”

Cherries were given vocal backing by 2,338 travelling supporters.

Tindall said: “The supporters were terrific. With recent results, it would have been easy for people not to turn up and support the team, but they didn’t stop singing and got behind the players from the first minute to the last.

“It made a big difference and the players and coaching staff were thankful for their support, and for their continued support.

“They played a big part in helping us perform like we did and in achieving the result we did.”