YANN Kermorgant was the darling of Dean Court as Cherries halted their five-match winless run with a deserved victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Wolves tonight.

The Frenchman netted twice – including a second-half penalty winner – to help Eddie Howe’s men get their challenge back on track and move into fourth place in the Championship.

Kermorgant opened the scoring following good work by Callum Wilson and converted from the spot after his fellow striker had been felled by Richard Stearman.

GALLERY: VIEW ALL THE PICTURES FROM DEAN COURT HERE

The teams had reached the half-time interval on level terms after Kermorgant’s 10th-minute opener had been cancelled out by Benik Afobe’s fine finish six minutes before the break.

Although Cherries made an encouraging start and led thanks to Kermorgant’s well-taken effort, the visitors, buoyed by Afobe’s equaliser, finished the first half on top.

However, after Kermorgant had restored Cherries’ lead, Howe’s men were rarely troubled and eased to victory thanks to a solid second-half display.

Matt Ritchie was restored to the Cherries starting line-up as boss Howe made one change following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn.

And Ritchie fashioned the first shooting chance after five minutes but lifted his effort from the edge of the box high over the crossbar.

A superb move led to Cherries taking the lead after 10 minutes with Wilson turning provider for Kermorgant to draw first blood.

Although Andrew Surman’s raking pass from deep picked out Wilson near the corner flag, the striker had plenty to do under pressure from defender Kortney Hause.

But Wilson cleverly worked some space to see off his marker before sending over a delicate cross to the near post where Kermorgant applied a sumptuous finish to turn the ball past Tomasz Kuszczak.

Kermorgant’s 12th goal of the season was no more than Cherries had deserved with Howe’s team having dominated possession and controlled the early stages.

Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc hared off his line to beat Afobe to a hopeful through ball before Ritchie’s low drive was deflected for a corner as Cherries again threatened.

Steve Cook’s timely tackle prevented Rajiv van La Parra from getting on the end of a Bakary Sako cross before Harry Arter’s deflected shot flashed past the upright.

Cherries were rocked when Wolves levelled through Afobe six minutes before the break, the £2million January signing bagging his 25th goal of the season.

Afobe, who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at MK Dons before signing for Wolves from Arsenal, finished with aplomb after finding space just inside the 18-yard box.

The striker placed his shot just inside Boruc’s right-hand post after Kevin McDonald’s precision pass had found him between two defenders.

As Cherries went in search of a quick response, Wilson’s shot following a sharp turn was beaten away by Kuszczak before Afobe again wriggled free, only to fire straight at Boruc.

McDonald was allowed to run half the length of the pitch unchallenged before clipping his shot narrowly past the post as Wolves finished the first half with a flourish.

However, Cherries regained the lead from the spot after Wilson had been upended by Richard Stearman – with Wolves claiming the infringement had taken place outside the box.

But referee James Linington was unmoved and Kermorgant managed to squeeze his spot-kick past Kuszczak despite the Polish goalkeeper guessing correctly and diving the right way.

Wilson blazed a presentable chance into the North Stand after latching on to a through ball before the striker fired wide from a tight angle after Marc Pugh had fed him.

Tenacious closing down by Wilson created an opening for Pugh but, after the winger had pulled the trigger, he was denied by Stearman who was on hand to clear off the line.

The tireless Wilson outstripped Danny Batth, only to drag his shot past the post. And although Wolves huffed and puffed during the closing stages, Boruc was not seriously tested as Cherries held on comfortably.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie (Smith, 83), Arter, Surman, Pugh (Ward, 90), Wilson, Kermorgant (Pitman, 90).

Unused subs: Fraser, MacDonald, Rantie, Camp (g/k).

Booked: Cook, Francis, Pugh, Pitman.

Wolves: Kuszczak, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Hause, van La Parra, McDonald, Edwards, Sako, Afobe, Dicko (Doyle, 75).

Unused subs: Golbourne, Henry, Ebanks-Landell, Iorfa, Price, McCarey (g/k).

Booked: Stearman.

Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight).

Attendance: 9,851 (including 1,335 away supporters).