Pirates pick off Cherries

Jeff Hughes slotted home a first-half penalty as Bristol Rovers continued their revival with a 1-0 home win over Bournemouth.

Adam Smith was penalised for tripping Gavin Williams and Hughes made no mistake in the 33rd minute, sending goalkeeper Shawn Jalal the wrong way from the spot. It dealt another blow to Bournemouth's promotion hopes and sees the Pirates climb out of the bottom four at Dagenham & Redbridge's expense. The Cherries could find no way past inspired Rovers goalkeeper Conrad Logan at the end of some penetrating approach play. Chris Lines hit the crossbar for Rovers with a superb 30-yard free kick after 63 minutes before the home side had to withstand a late Bournemouth surge. Danny Hollands had a second-half shot cleared off the line by Rovers defender James Tunnicliffe, while Danny Ings and Anton Robinson shot inches wide for the visitors. Rovers are threatening to pull off a great escape under player-manager Stuart Campbell, who substituted himself after 54 minutes and spent the rest of the game frantically urging his side on from the dugout.