SCOTT Parker was pleased to see Cherries battle through tough conditions to grind out a 1-0 win at Barnsley – saying the length of the grass on the pitch at Oakwell was a big factor in the contest.

Philip Billing’s 12th-minute header settled a lacklustre affair between the sides in Yorkshire, as Parker’s men responded from back-to-back league defeats.

Giving his verdict on the contest, the head coach said: “Overall, a big result for us. I think that was key.

“We needed to come here and win the game first and foremost.

“It’s been a big week for us in terms of a bit of self-reflection, meetings and an understanding of what we need to go out (and do) really.

“It was a difficult place to come. Was always going to be difficult conditions – the pitch in terms of how long the grass was – there was a lot of factors here where we knew the game at times wasn’t going to be the most ideal for us and how we wanted to be.

“At that point you need to win the game. It was a big three points, so I was pleased with the team.”

He added: “There was the wind as well and the actual pitch. That’s what it is – that’s exactly what this league is about and how it is.

“We dealt with those situations very well, showed our quality again and got a goal in front. At that point we had some big chances as well in the first half – didn’t manage to go two (up).

“Overall at that point you need to see the game out, we did that very well.”

Victory put Cherries one point behind second-placed Blackburn Rovers in the league table, after the Lancashire club drew 0-0 at Luton.

Cherries also have a game in hand on Tony Mowbray’s men.