GOALS from Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke tightened Cherries’ grip on the play-off places with a 2-1 victory at Huddersfield.

Billing took just quarter of an hour to head in against the Terriers on his old stomping ground, with a stunning strike from Solanke doubling the advantage just before the break.

Jonathan Hogg headed in what proved to be a consolation for the hosts in the 76th minute.

Victory lifted Cherries to fifth in the league table, five points clear of play-off rivals Reading in seventh.

Cherries made just one change to their starting XI for the trip to west Yorkshire. Ben Pearson came back into midfield to replace Jack Wilshere, who dropped to the bench.

Fit-again Junior Stanislas was named among the substitutes after recovering from illness. He replaced on-loan Shane Long, who was not part of the matchday group.

The hosts made two changes with Aaron Rowe and Isaac Mbenza coming in for Pipa and Yaya Sanogo.

Cherries scored after 23 seconds against Coventry on Saturday and they took 45 seconds to have the first shot at John Smith’s Stadium.

Lloyd Kelly got forward from left-back to link up with Arnaut Danjuma, the England under-21 international worked Town keeper Ryan Schofield at his near post.

Town then created their first opening on 13 minutes. After Pearson was booked for a foul, the Terriers broke forward and Rowe’s powerful effort on the angle was palmed away by Asmir Begovic.

But Cherries found their breakthrough on 15 minutes and it was that man Billing back at his old stomping ground.

The Dane stooped to head into the net for his seventh goal of the season, after Danjuma’s strike was parried into a dangerous area.

Moments later, the Cherries midfielder almost had a second. His drilled effort from the edge of the box deflected just wide of the post.

Back came the Terriers through wing-back Rowe, who again found space to test Begovic with a stinging strike at his near post – the Bosnian swatting the ball out for a corner.

Cherries had a glorious opportunity to double their advantage with 28 minutes on the clock. Adam Smith advanced forward and was able to cut the ball back to Danjuma.

Under pressure from his marker, the Netherlands international blazed over the bar with his right foot.

The visitors were to find a second shortly before the interval.

After the Terriers needlessly gave away possession to Pearson, his pass allowed England international Solanke to turn and fire home from the edge of the box in classy fashion.

The Terriers came out of the traps with gusto during early stages of the second half however, and came within inches of pulling one back.

Lewis O’Brien’s neat one-two with Rowe gave him a sight at goal and he rattled the woodwork with the ball falling to safety.

Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate then looked to the bench and replaced David Brooks with Jack Stacey just past the hour mark.

And it was Jefferson Lerma who almost added a third for the visitors with 19 minutes left. Danjuma’s devilish ball in found the leaping Colombian, who nodded just wide.

It was a header at the other end however which left Cherries to endure a nervy final 15 minutes.

Terriers skipper Hogg ran away from his man and glanced into the net from a Duane Holmes corner to set up a tense finale.

And Town had the chance to level it with three minutes left. Naby Sarr turned the ball wide following another corner.

But Cherries managed to see out the contest and further enhance their play-off hopes.

Cherries: Begovic, Smith, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Kelly, Pearson, Lerma, Brooks (Stacey, 64), Billing, Danjuma (Stanislas, 72), Solanke (Surridge, 87).

Unused subs: Mepham, Wilshere, Riquelme, Rico, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Pearson, Surridge.

Huddersfield: Schofield, Edmonds-Green (Thomas, 54), Keogh, Sarr, Hogg, Holmes (Brown, 85), Bacuna (High, 71), O'Brien, Rowe, Campbell (Ward, 54), Mbenza (Aarons, h-t).

Unused subs: Avila, Pritchard, Stearman, Pereira (g/k).

Booked: None.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson.