DIRECTOR of rugby David Dunn hailed a “crucial” bonus point for Bournemouth following their gritty 31-15 win over Southend.

The Lions were level at half-time despite dominating territory against their Essex rivals, but the hosts dug deep after the interval, snaring a maximum haul with three second-half tries.

And Dunn, whose team ended a run of five straight defeats, praised his players for bouncing back in the testing conditions at Chapel Gate.

Dunn told the Daily Echo: “We had a torrid 40 minutes playing into the wind but we managed to open up the game in the second half and get the bonus point which was absolutely crucial.

“When you’re winning by 40 or 50 points most weeks it becomes easy, but when you’re losing games you’ve got to get back in the groove. If we had lost this one it could have placed a bit of doubt in our minds.”

The win moved Lions six points clear of the relegation places and brings them to within touching distance of mid-table security, delighting Dunn who added: “If we can do well in the next three games, we’ll be comfortable in mid-table when Christmas comes round.”