ON THIS DAY: Pitman fires again as Cherries keep up League One promotion push

BOSS Eddie Howe saw Cherries steal a march on their League One promotion rivals and then heaped praise on his players for their defensive efforts.

Brett Pitman bagged the only goal of the game as Cherries opened a three-point gap in second place courtesy of a 1-0 victory over struggling Scunthorpe at Dean Court.

Pitman registered his 15th goal of the season and netted for the fifth game in succession as Cherries maintained their late surge by claiming a fifth win on the trot.

Cherries, who survived one major let-off when Mark Duffy squandered a great chance for the Iron, also made it four clean sheets in their past five games.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Our defending in recent weeks has been much improved and it was great to get another clean sheet.

“I don’t care by what score we win as long as we win. We would like a better goal difference at this stage of the season but points are the priority.”

Cherries: Allsop, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie (Fogden, 90), O’Kane, Arter, Pugh (MacDonald, 82), Tubbs (McQuoid, 73), Pitman.

Unused subs: Fletcher, Seaborne, Hughes, Jalal (g/k).

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attendance: 7,465 (including 146 visiting supporters).