Successful teams get the run of the ball and win ugly as well and this second consecutive comeback at home showed that this team can grind out a result when needed.

The team was unchanged from the one that played the last 85 minutes against Notts County but once again got caught out early on when they started slowly and fell behind after just 4 minutes.

The new cult hero Stephane Zubar misjudged a long high ball in the swirling wind and nodded the ball on perfectly to the onrushing Devaney who finished expertly. 0-1

Tranmere were bright and industrious but two incidents in close succession seemed to knock the stuffing out of them. Firstly, Devaney should have doubled the lead after a good move and then after a bundled forward movement by the Cherries involving Symes, the ball fell kindly for Wes Thomas. His hopeful strike from outside the area took a wicked deflection over the keeper and into the far corner. You could see the Tranmere heads drop. 1-1

The Cherries then took control and were trying to work the ball down both wings. The much maligned Symes was coming deep to show for the ball avoiding the ball being lumped forward aimlessly. More often than not his control and distribution were good but many fans jumped on every non-perfect touch, its a shame many don't appreciate his contribution to us keeping the ball. He has also scored two and made two in the last four games but many seem to forget this.

The Cherries then had another slice of fortune. It's difficult for me to accept that it was deliberate but a wicked curling cross from Pugh from a short corner sailed into the far corner to complete the turnaround. 2-1

Half Time: AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Tranmere Rovers

There isn't much to recall about the second half. It was a solid professional performance to keep the points. I normally watch the clock intensely when there is only one goal in it but this time I felt strangely calm as Tranmere offered little threat.

Credit to Cook who after a shaky start, grew in stature throughout the game. Daniels made some strong runs down the left but as is often the case with Pugh the final ball rarely went near a Cherries forward. Macdonald as sub showed greater presence than Arter who was clearly disappointed when he was subbed. Substitute Fletcher won his first header (a dolly into the keepers arms) which predictably led to post match calls for him to be on from the start.

Full Time: AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Tranmere Rovers

Onwards to Chesterfield now and we must go there with confidence. Everybody is putting in a decent shift, there is competition for places and we have the ability to play some attractive football as well as mix it when needed.

Bournemouth continued their fine run in 2012 with a hard-fought win over Notts County at Dean Court. Despite falling behind early on the home side showed great character and maturity to battle back and snatch a late win thanks to goals from the two Wes', Thomas and Fogden.

Regular opponents County arrived in Dorset with a defensive crisis of their own which saw components of their regular back line somewhat depleted. Conversely for Lee Bradburys men, skipper Adam Barrett returned to slot alongside Steve Cook, with Stephen Purches preferred ahead of Steven Gregory and Charlie Daniels returning after a one game lay off.

The pre match formalities followed a similar suit to that of the last home success against Wycombe. Despite winning the toss, the home side elected to shoot towards to Steve Fletcher stand in the first half with Notts County doing the honours from the spot.

As would be expected from any Martin Allen side, he organised his troops to be physical and tight in midfield. Both sides found it difficult early on to gain any foothold in the game with clear cut chances few and far between. The first half chance fell to the home side with Notts clearing their lines defensively only for the loose ball fall to the feet of Marc Pugh who fully tested Stuart Nelson from 30 yards, with Wes Fogden inches away from capitalising on Nelsons parry.

The visitors took the lead just a minute after as Harry Arter was adjudged to have committed a foul 30 yards from the Bournemouth goal. County astutely laid the ball off for the on rushing Hamza Bencherif to strike a thunderbolt with aplomb into the top left corner of Flahavans net. 0-1

Shortly after Adam Barretts return to action was reduced merely to a nine minute cameo as the skipper pulled up again with a hamstring strain and the ongoing saga due to be continued. Barrett was replaced by Stephane Zubar who was handed the thankless task of monitoring the debauched Lee Hughes.

On 21 minutes the home side cancelled out Bencherifs majestic opener through a precisely worked build up on the left hand side incorporating both Daniels and Pugh, before the latter found Michael Symes with an accurate pulled back cross. Symes shot first time with his left foot forcing a half save from County’s shot stopper with the talismanic Wes Thomas the first to pounce from 1 yard. 1-1

Despite appearing to gain momentum following the equaliser, the Cherries were able to breathe a sigh of relief. Bournemouth gave up possession on the left hand side allowing Alan Judge to cross into the path of County's top scorer Jeff Hughes. Hughes left Zubar and Francis for dead with a neat turn only to strike the underside of the cross bar after having completed all of the hard work.

The Cherries then started to dominate on both flanks with Daniels and Francis integral parts of any Cherries attack. As the first half neared its conclusion Simon Francis saw a 35 yard pile drive saved well by Stuart Nelson as the home side really started to turn the screw.

Half Time: AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Notts County

Notts County came out after the break with all guns blazing, yet any attack appeared to be short lived with Stephane Zubar and Steve Cook further adhering themselves to the home fans by keeping a potentially dangerous strike force in Hawley and Hughes, relatively quiet.

A through ball from Neal Bishop appeared to allow Ishmel Demontagnac to bear down on goal with only Flahavan to beat. Yet rather reminiscent of super hero’s such as Superman or Batman, Zubar engraved his own super hero status within the Cherries faithful as out of nowhere he lunged to dispossess Demontagnac as the trigger was about to be pulled. The perfectly timed tackle enabled Flahavan to gather the loose ball and the North Stand celebrated like a goal had been scored!

This single moment boosted the crowd and have a knock on impact on the pitch with the Cherries having weathered Countys minor storm, they launched an even stronger storm themselves with Wes Thomas close to scoring his second of the game having jumped well from a Cherries corner. His perfectly timed glancing header was well saved by Nelson and County were able to clear.

Shaun Macdonald was introduced at the expense of Harry Arter and it didn’t take the Welsh midfielder long before he was the catalyst to success in a neatly worked Cherries winning goal on 83 minutes. His quick feet and scintillating run saw him reach the edge of County’s area before playing in Wes Fogden and watching him strike a delectable shot into the bottom left hand corner of Stuart Nelsons goal. 2-1

Notts County threw on Ben Burgess towards the death, but the home side looked comfortable and assured and there were no late scares towards the dying embers. Good communication between Flahavan, Cook and Zubar ensured that nightmares of last season’s mockery were not to be repeated.


Full Time: AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Notts County


Player ratings:


Flahavan - 7 - Could do nothing about the goal


Francis - 8 - Best game in a Cherries shirt
Zubar - 8 - Kept Hughes quiet and an amazing last gasp challenge. MOM
Cook - 7 - Standard steady self
Daniels - 7 - Solid and energetic


Fogden - 6 - Energetic as always but not particularly effective. Good goal
Arter - 5 - Tries to do too much
Purches - 7 - Brilliant, better in position than Gregory
Pugh - 8 - Fantastic, had their right back on toast


Symes - 5.5 - We need another forward. Slow and out of touch at present
Thomas - 6 - Quieter game, but scored and gave them a lot to think about


Report by Paul Sandall