CHERRIES secured top spot in their Premier League Cup group with a 1-0 win over Norwich City at New Cuthbury.

Balraj Landa bagged the only goal of the game in Wimborne, as Alan Connell’s men progress through to a home meeting with Leeds United in the next round.

Having done the hard work already, Cherries knew anything but a heavy defeat would secure top spot, seeking to do so unbeaten for the first time in the club’s history.

Connell made four changes to the side beaten by Millwall in the Professional Development League a few days earlier.

Three of those came across the backline as Finn Tonks returned from injury, while Max Kinsey and Archie Harris also came back in, the former having been on the bench for the first team at West Ham on Thursday night. Jack Holman and Jack Wadham dropped out, while Ben Greenwood has completed a loan move to Eastleigh.

Baylin Johnson also came in to start on the wing, in place of teenager Ashley Clarke.

Aidan Manning and Dominic Sadi traded efforts during the early stages, before Cameron Plain denied a close-range strike from Elliot Myles.

Plain was again called into action, to thwart Ken Aboh’s header, before Jonny Stuttle and Sadi missed the target at the other end.

Goalkeeper Daniel Barden then saved from Johnson’s effort as the half ended goalless.

Barden was again alert early in the second period, to deny Sadi, before Plain was called into action with a diving save from Joe Duffy’s shot.

The deadlock was broken on 57 minutes, Stuttle teeing up Landa to finish well into the bottom corner from around 20 yards.

Kian Tydeman attempted the spectacular to double the lead, his overhead kick going into the side netting.

Stuttle looked to kill the game on 79 minutes, doing well to skip around Barden, only for Alfie Doy to product a brilliant block on the line.

Norwich then missed a big chance to equalise late on, Aboh firing straight at Plain, who stayed big to make the stop.

The Canaries finish second, ahead of Charlton and Wolves.

Cherries: Plain, Tonks, Kinsey, Harris, Boutin, Brown, Sadi, Johnson (Osborne, 58), Tydeman, Landa (Gregory, 70), Stuttle.

Unused subs: Holman, William, Crisp (g/k).