Match Report

Brett Pitman celebrated his first league hat-trick as AFC Bournemouth boosted their survival hopes while at the same time denting Rochdale's prospects of an automatic promotion slot.

Pitman gave Bournemouth a 12th minute lead and scored twice more in the second half as the Cherries stayed four points clear of the relegation zone.

With fellow strugglers Chester City and Barnet also winning, the result could not have been more timely for Bournemouth.

Although Pitman was the toast of Dean Court, the hat-trick hero will be the first to acknowledge the part Liam Feeney played in Rochdale's downfall.

The speed of the former Salisbury city striker, who joined Bournemouth in February, troubled Rochdale from the start.

His pace unsettled the visiting defence and it was no surprise that he was the architect behind Pitman's 12th minute opener.

Feeney burst into the box and laid off a pass to Pitman, whose shot took a wicked deflection off the boot of defender Rory McArdle and looped into the far corner.

Rochdale had their moments in those early stages and their main threat came down the left from Adam Rundle.

But Rochdale's threat gradually subsided, particularly when Feeney struck in the 24th minute to double Bournemouth's lead.

Bournemouth, who had not won either of their previous two matches, were 2-0 up and forced Rochdale boss Keith Hill to make a double half-time substitution.

With their confidence boosted, Bournemouth made an encouraging start to the second half and increased their lead in the 67th minute with Pitman getting on target.

Veteran striker Steve Fletcher laid the chance on with a deft flick near the right hand touchline which put Pitman away confidently.

Full of confidence, the Bournemouth striker struck a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner to effectively put Rochdale out of the reckoning.

Feeney went close again as Bournemouth pushed for further success.

But it was not until injury time that they scored their fourth goal with Pitman celebrating his hat-trick with a fine shot into the far corner.

Making only his second start, Feeney cut in from the right and sent an explosive shot into the top corner for his debut league goal.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides