CHERRIES picked up their first victory away at Leicester in over 34 years, winning 1-0 in a crucial relegation battle.

The Dorset outfit last won away at the Foxes in December 1988, Colin Clarke scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Philip Billing latched onto a Leicester City misplaced pass to open scores five minutes before the break, in what eventually proved to be the game's only goal.

Head coach Gary O’Neil was forced into making two changes from the side beaten in midweek at home to Brighton, Marcos Senesi and Hamed Traore missing out.

Both players were unavailable due to injury – Senesi via a hamstring issue that he picked up in the tail end of the defeat to Brighton, Traore sustaining a knock in training.

In came Chris Mepham to replace Senesi and Joe Rothwell for Traore.

Early possession started with the home side, who were unable to turn control of the ball in dangerous areas into chances of note.

A quartet of Cherries players stood over a free-kick on the lip of the penalty area for some time, before dispersing to allow Billing the opportunity to strike the deadball.

He hit it well, sending it past the wall and goalkeeper Daniel Iversen – only for the ball to kiss the outside of the post.

The Dane was denied by his compatriot in the Foxes’ goal later on, Billing’s drive from outside the box pushed away at the near post by Iversen.

Cherries enjoyed a consistent spell of attacking play, producing a few opportunities. Dango Ouattara’s cross cut back to Dom Solanke saw the striker fire wide inside the box.

That was the brightest moment for Ouattara in a struggling 38-minute cameo, the decision eventually made to replace the winger with Marcus Tavernier.

Shortly after the rare first-half sub, Cherries would find themselves in the lead.

England international James Maddison hit an ambitious pass in hope of sparking his side, but instead only created an opportunity for Cherries.

His loose ball found Billing, who strode forward to defeat Iversen one-on-one and open scores.

Billing was again involved at the start of the second half, his driving run into the box teeing up Solanke. The striker was well denied by the outstretched body of Iversen, his legs spread to block the effort from close range.

Cherries had a few moments of interest in the Foxes’ box, two goalmouth scrambles prior to the hour mark that seemingly needed just the right touch to become goals.

The introduction of two attackers off the bench for the home side, Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho brought on, highlighted their desperation for a way back into the contest.

Iheanacho almost found an equaliser when he barged Mepham over to fire directly at Neto, Cherries’ keeper holding well.

A threatening-looking counter-attack almost sealed the game for Cherries with 11 minutes remaining.

Ryan Christie and Billing combined deep inside their own half to spring their side up the pitch.

Billing then slipped in Solanke, but the former Liverpool man took too many touches, allowing Wout Faes to slide in and block the effort.

Both sides lacked quality in a frantic end to the contest, each team pouring forward in search of the game’s next goal.

However, another was not forthcoming, allowing Cherries to pick up their eighth league win of the season and leap out of the relegation zone.

Cherries: Neto, Smith, Stephens, Mepham, Kelly; Rothwell, Lerma; Ouattara (Tavernier, 38), Billing, Christie; Solanke (Semenyo, 87).

Unused subs: Zabarnyi, Vina, Cook, Brooks, Anthony, Moore, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Rothwell, Kelly, Smith.

Leicester: Iversen; Castagne, Faes, Amartey, Kristiansen; Pereira (Iheanacho, 57), Ndidi (Praet, 81), Maddison; Soumare, Vardy (Daka, 57), Barnes (Tete, 72).

Unused subs: Evans, Souttar, Thomas, Mendy, Ward (g/k).

Booked: None.

Referee: David Coote.

Attendance: 32,094.