MARK Travers hailed Cherries' performance against Bristol City as "excellent", insisting: "We knew we'd get back in the game."

Cherries fell behind in just the fourth minute, via a Robert Atkinson header.

However, within 10 minutes of the start of the second half, the hosts were 2-1 up thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook.

Siriki Dembele also found the net before a late Andreas Weimann consolation, as Cherries saw out a 3-2 victory, to stay six points clear of third-placed Huddersfield Town.

Asked how well Cherries battled back from the early setback of Atkinson's goal, Travers told the Daily Echo: "It’s always disappointing, but if there is a time to do it, it is early on so you give yourself a lot of time to get back in.

"The fans were great. There was no disappointment from the team, the fans, anyone.

"We knew how we were playing and we knew we’d get back in the game. Thankfully we were able to do that."

He added: "I thought the lads were excellent. In possession we got after Bristol today and pressed from the off.

"Disappointing to concede that early goal, but we gave ourselves time to get back into the game and stamp our authority, which I thought we did. It was a great result in the end."

Cherries went into the fixture having not played in two weeks, since their impressive 3-0 victory at Huddersfield before the international break.

"I think Huddersfield was a massive, massive game – a six-pointer it turned out to be," said Travers.

"So it was disappointing we had such a long wait for the next game, but I think the lads took the confidence we produced straight into this game and we were able to replicate that sort of intense high-pressing, the way we like to play."

There was some doubt leading into the Bristol City fixture regarding the availability of in-form Travers.

The Irishman had to withdraw from his national team due to a quad problem, but recovered in time to start against the Robins.

"I did it in the first session away with Ireland and was really disappointed obviously with the two friendlies," Travers said of his injury.

"It was really frustrating to come back early, but the only positive (was) I had a bit of time to get the injury sorted with the recovery at Bournemouth and thankfully I was able to get there and play."

Travers did not have a great deal to do during the contest as Cherries dominated possession, but did pull off one vital stop to deny Chris Martin in the second half.

Reflecting on that save, Cherries' goalkeeper said: "Trying to stay in the game as much as I can and if there is a moment that I’m called upon, I know I have to be as ready as possible.

"Thankfully I was able to do that at 2-1, it was great to be involved in the save. There wasn’t too much work other that, but it was a nice moment."