AFC Bournemouth taste defeat after frustrating narrow loss to promotion rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Coming into the game, Bournemouth needed the three points; a string of draws and one defeat had seen them slip to second behind title challengers Fulham. Blackburn went into the game in good form off the back of three clean sheets and three wins, seeing them move up to fourth and potential contenders for automatic promotion.
The game started well with both teams enjoying their share of possession, chances came for Bournemouth more so.
Some great work from the likes of Jamal Lowe and Lewis Cook saw chances flashed into the box only to be turned away, however.
The opposition always had a threat with team top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz up front and eventually that proved dividend.
The Chile international forced a goal from a free kick.
The ball was put onto the head of Rovers captain Darragh Leniham who’s header was parried well by Mark Travers.
Brereton Diaz took advantage of the rebound and poked it to the path of Ben Pearson who couldn’t help but touch it on its way in – Blackburn had the crucial lead.
Frustrations grew around the Vitality as Blackburn held their line efficiently, Bournemouth were unable to break them down.
As the half played out Bournemouth had only a few chances, one of which just before the half-time whistle.
Dominic Solanke found himself through one on one, but Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears saved his low effort sublimely to his left seeing the half finish one to Blackburn Rovers.
The second half started with Bournemouth enjoying possession in advanced areas; the introduction of Emiliano Marcondes to assist the attack urged the Cherries on.
The visitors always had the benefit of the counter attack to their game and despite the better start from the home side, Blackburn found themselves a second from a well worked corner.
Joe Rothwell's set piece found the head of Jan Paul Van Hecke who's bullet header fired the Rovers two to the good making it increasingly tough for Bournemouth to get back into the game.
Blackburn continued to be stobborn and hard to break down. As time ticked on, a comeback for the Cherries seemed unlikely.
The game had a slow tempo towards the end; Blackburn were able to see out the additional six minutes and take the three points home.
The Cherries remain second in the league, three points off the play-off places from West Brom in third.