LEE Bradbury hailed Liam Feeney’s wonder strike “a fitting goal for the occasion” as Cherries claimed the south coast bragging rights with victory over League One leaders Brighton.

Feeney bagged his fourth goal of the season with a stunning second-half volley to settle the issue in Cherries’ favour in Bradbury’s first home game in charge.

Bradbury said: “The lads were different class and have been ever since I took over a week ago. I’ve told them that they will get out what they put in and they have put in a lot. They are making the job easy at the moment.

“It was hard work. Brighton always keep the ball well and are one of the best passing teams in the division. They had some long spells of possession. They are a good side and I thought we made them look decidedly average.

“I thought we defended really well and have kept two clean sheets in two games. I can’t remember the last time we did that. That will give the lads a confidence boost because Brighton brought on a few big lads at the end and we dealt with them really well.”

Cherries showed one change from the midweek draw at Rochdale with striker Michael Symes restored to the starting line-up in place of midfielder Danny Hollands.

Chances were at a premium during a cagey first half, the opening 45 minutes proving to be a cat-and-mouse affair played out predominately between the two 18-yard boxes. Brighton created the first opportunity after nine minutes when a combination of Jason Pearce and Marvin Bartley prevented Chris Wood from taking aim.

Cherries responded when defender Adam Smith saw his low left-foot effort snaffled by Seagulls goalkeeper Casper Ankergren.

Cherries had a loud penalty appeal waved away after Liam Bridcutt had appeared to handle a goalbound effort from Danny Ings midway through the first half.

Jason Pearce outjumped the Seagulls defence to meet a Marc Pugh corner, only to see his firm header clear the crossbar, before Ashley Barnes nodded wide for the visitors.

Rhoys Wiggins saw his speculative drive flash past the post before Shwan Jalal saved comfortably from Wood’s long-range strike.

Brighton also had a penalty shout turned down when Elliott Bennett took a tumble under a challenge from Bartley on the stroke of half-time.

Ankergren saved from Wiggins after the defender had let fly at the start of the second half before Gordon Greer’s glancing header drifted past the upright.

Ings saw his rasping effort flash the wrong side of the post after the teenager had neatly controlled a cross from the right by Smith.

Craig Noone’s venomous free-kick found the side netting, with some visiting supporters in the East Stand convinced the ball had squeezed in at the near post.

Cherries finally made the breakthrough after 62 minutes when Feeney’s thunderous volley beat Ankergren all ends up.

Glenn Murray, one of three substitutions made by Seagulls boss Gus Poyet in the 66th minute, thought he had levelled just minutes after coming off the bench.

But although he nipped in front of the Cherries defence to head Bennett’s cross past Jalal, his effort was ruled out for offside.

Murray wasted a gilt-edged chance to equalise after being teed up by Wood, the striker clipping his shot over the crossbar from a central position.

And the Seagulls again had no joy with a second penalty shout after Jalal had challenged Murray for a high ball.

Cherries: Jalal, Smith, Pearce, Cooper, Wiggins, Feeney, Robinson, Bartley (Hollands, 66), Pugh, Symes (Fletcher, 75), Ings.

Unused subs: Purches, Cummings, Partington, Taylor, Thomas (g/k).

Booked: Pearce, Cooper, Hollands.

Seagulls: Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, El-Abd, Painter, Sparrow (Dicker, 66), Bridcutt (Murray, 66), Noone (Kishishev, 66), Bennett, Wood, Barnes. Unused subs: Elphick, Holroyd, Hart, Brezovan (g/k).

Booked: Greer, El-Abd.

Referee: Keith Hill (Pinner).

Attendance: 9,762 (including 2,308 away supporters)