AS the dark closed in at Dean Court, a shining light appeared at the end of the tunnel.

It arrived on 64 minutes. A beacon of optimism for all supporters of AFC Bournemouth: Matt Ritchie.

Rarely could a cameo of barely half an hour have provided such a major boost for the Dorset club.

Composed, talented and organised, Derby County were the better team on Saturday. No arguments.

Excellent with the ball, hard-working and resolute without it, Steve McClaren’s men appear genuine play-off contenders.

But for Cherries fans this morning seeking some solace, look no further than the man wearing number 30.

Prior to Ritchie’s eagerly-awaited return, Cherries had struggled to launch sustained raids against the Rams. Following his second-half introduction, Ritchie offered a fresh, direct dimension for his team.

Sidelined since pre-season with a persistent thigh problem, the former Swindon star played like a man determimed to make up for lost time. Prompting with urgency and brave in possession, Ritchie always wanted the ball.

The crowd responded and there was an almost immediate sense that the 24-year-old would make something happen. The fact he failed to do so was certainly not for the want of trying as he unleashed shots and attempted defence-splitting passes with trademark panache.

Ritchie’s eye-catching display was made all the more impressive given that he had come into the match on the back of just 60 minutes of game-time in a friendly against Reading.

Given his lengthy absence, it would be unfair to place too much of a burden on his shoulders.

But if Saturday’s evidence proves to be an accurate gauge, he can be a class act in the Championship.

In recent home games, Cherries have struggled to unlock the organised, dogged defences of Bolton and Derby. But Ritchie, with his wand of a left foot and willingness to take a risk, could hold the key to conjuring opportunities as Cherries seek more magic in the final third.

The playmaker, who is adept on both flanks and as an attacking midfielder, has an eye for a pass and the quality to execute it.

It may be cliché but the old saying of being ‘like a new signing’ applies. He certainly looked quite the capture here.

As boosts go, Ritchie’s first league appearance of the season was as welcome as it was timely for Eddie Howe.

While Cherries were left with just one win in nine, they were also faced with a potentially big injury headache.

Boss Howe revealed that experienced defender Elliott Ward could be out for up to two months with a calf problem and with concerns over Steve Cook, who was stretchered off in stoppage time, Cherries could be forced into the loan market. Ritchie’s comeback and Ryan Fraser’s lively return at least cushioned those hefty blows.

Cook, partnered by recalled captain Tommy Elphick, had earlier enhanced his reputation by battling throughout to keep at bay a slick Derby outfit.

Under the management of former England boss McClaren, there was much to admire about the visitors.

Howe felt County had been the best team Cherries had come up against and, in Will Hughes and Jamie Ward, they had two talented performers.

Derby’s Ward, who would go on to net the winner in the 61st minute, was a constant menace as he operated with directness and no small amount of skill on both flanks.

Teenager Hughes, who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, was afforded the freedom to express himself in a Derby midfield which was given its freedom by deep-lying stopper John Eustace.

Cherries, in the midst of an extremely testing run of fixtures, saw their task made all the more difficult by pre-match injuries to centre-half Ward and midfield heartbeat Harry Arter.

Derby, who arrived in decent form and as the division’s leading goalscorers, immediately looked to dictate possession and were quick to commit men forward, notably their energetic full-backs, when on the front foot.

They were also cutting and swift on the counter and from one such break, Ward forced a routine save from the impressive Lee Camp, having been expertly released by Hughes.

At the other end, Tokelo Rantie was largely contained, aside from one explosive contribution in the 18th minute. The South African international burst past Jake Buxton and cut back inside his marker on the byline but with Brett Pitman and Marc Pugh well placed, Rantie opted to shoot and was denied by Lee Grant’s block.

While there was no shortage of tidy football, goalmouth incidents proved few and far between.

Derby-born former Rams keeper Camp, who came in for some stick from a bumper away following, was alert to hold on to a fierce low drive from Ward before tipping over a Simon Dawkins ripsnorter.

But he was powerless to prevent Ward from scoring when the Derby dangerman arrived right on cue to finish Craig Forsyth’s brilliant cross after a flowing move down County’s left flank.

Ritchie and Ryan Fraser then arrived and the mood immediately changed. With Derby seemingly content to take a more defensive mode, Ritchie looked to orchestrate Cherries’ efforts.

He was heavily involved from the right and needed no second invitation to shoot from range, twice rifling goalwards, while also trying to carve open the Derby backline with a series of passes.

Fraser’s pace offered another weapon and Cherries looked more potent. Fraser headed wide from a Wes Thomas cross before Camp’s fine save ensured Mason Bennett would not double Derby’s tally.

There was no grand finale for Cherries but comeback king Ritchie at least provided a silver lining.

STAR MAN - LEE CAMP

Derby born and a former Rams keeper, the 29-year-old quickly became the pantomime villain.
No doubt due to his spell with Nottingham Forest, Camp was subjected to plenty of stick by the visiting fans.

But he answered his critics in fine fashion by providing a cool, calming influence and displaying solid handling throughout.

Sharp saves from Chris Martin, Jamie Ward and Simon Dawkins were followed by a superb block to deny Mason Bennett.

Prior to his injury, Steve Cook was an assured presence, while Matt Ritchie was terrific and Cherries’ leading outfield performer.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Camp 7*; Francis 6, Elphick 6, Cook 7, Daniels 6.5; Grabban 6, O’Kane 7, MacDonald 6, Pugh 6 (Fraser, 63); Pitman 6.5 (Thomas, 75); Rantie 6 (Ritchie, 64). Unused subs: Harte, Addison, Surman, Flahavan (g/k).

Booked: Francis, Cook.

Derby: Grant; Wisdom, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Eustace; Ward (Russell, 79), Hughes, Bryson, Dawkins (Bennett, 74); Martin (Sammon, 88). Unused subs: Smith, Davies, Ball, Morch (g/k).

Booked: Buxton, Hughes.

Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)

Attendance: 10,720 (including 1,391 away supporters)