DOMINIC Solanke was pleased to see Cherries show "that fighting spirit" to force through a victory against Middlesbrough.

The hosts looked in control at half-time on Good Friday, leading 1-0 through a Philip Billing strike.

However, a slow start to the second period saw Jonathan Woodgate's men sleepwalk into trouble and they were punished by Duncan Watmore's well-placed finish.

But that seemed to spark Cherries back into life, quickly getting their noses in front again thanks to Jefferson Lerma, before Solanke rounded off a 3-1 win.

Discussing the side's strong finish to the game after conceding, Solanke told afcbTV: "I think a few times this season we've slipped when that's happened and we've kind of lost momentum.

"But I think on Friday we showed we have that fighting spirit to go on and win the game."

For Solanke, that goal against Boro was just his second goal in seven appearances since returning from an ankle injury in February.

And the striker was pleased to get back on the scoresheet.

"I think there were a few opportunities where I could have got a chance and I didn't quite manage to get it," said Solanke.

"But the last one, the keeper saved it and I was just first to react and put it in the back of the net."

Cherries sit seventh in the table, a point behind Reading ahead of tomorrow's trip to face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park (3pm).

Asked for his assessment of the promotion race, Solanke said: "I think we've definitely got the squad to do it now and we just need to do it on the pitch.

"Hopefully we can keep everyone fit, because that's going to be important. We've got a lot of good players so we'll have to go and take as many points as we can."