ALTHOUGH ‘boring, boring Bournemouth’ is a tag which cannot be levelled at Cherries this season, supporters would undoubtedly settle for ‘one-nil to the Pitman’ from here on in.

For the fourth time in their past five victorious games, promotion-chasing Cherries won the points thanks to a solitary goal from in-form marksman Brett Pitman.

And while they ultimately may have made heavy weather of seeing off struggling Scunthorpe, it was a win at least three of their rivals would readily have traded.

With Brentford, Sheffield United and Swindon all squandering points, Cherries took the opportunity to open a three-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

It was not pretty but it was certainly comprehensive. Another Herculean defensive effort ensured the visitors would be restricted to one noteworthy goalscoring chance.

And while Mark Duffy’s second-half opportunity may have caused a few palpitations among home supporters, anything other than a Cherries victory would have been a travesty.

The decisive goal, scored by Pitman in the 11th minute, epitomised the free-flowing and easy-on-the-eye style of football instilled by manager Eddie Howe.

They dismantled the Iron backline with ruthless efficiency and Marc Pugh was allowed time and space on the left wing to weigh up his crossing options.

And after Pugh had picked out Matt Tubbs with a precision centre, the recalled striker nodded the ball back across goal where Pitman needed no second invitation.

The Jerseyman, arguably in the best goalscoring form of his career, applied a delicate cushioned volley to Tubbs’s assist, registering his 15th goal of the season in the process.

It also saw Pitman score for the fifth game in succession – a feat he achieved between April and May 2010 – and for the sixth time in Cherries’ past seven matches. Such is the confidence coursing through Pitman, he then tried his luck with a Marco van Basten-esque volley from a Matt Ritchie cross, his ambitious effort flying well wide.

As Cherries continued to carve open the Iron defence at will, Pitman went close to turning provider for Charlie Daniels midway through the first half.

However, after the pair had traded passes on the edge of the box, Scunthorpe goalkeeper Eirik Johansen dived at the feet of Daniels to thwart Cherries’ rampaging left-back.

The visitors, bidding to avoid a 21st league defeat in their 41st game of another depressing campaign, finally managed to test Cherries goalkeeper Ryan Allsop after 27 minutes.

But Andy Barcham’s weak shot was easy pickings for Allsop who then had to save bravely at the feet of Karl Hawley after a cross had found him lurking six yards from goal.

As the first half drew to a close, Pitman and Tubbs could only watch as Daniels’s centre flashed across the the goalmouth, the strikers close to adding a second.

Similar service was resumed early in the second half when Johansen had to be at his best to save from Harry Arter after the midfielder had let fly from 25 yards.

Cherries had their one and only escape when Duffy jinked into the 18-yard box before dragging his shot wide with the whole goal at his mercy. It was a glaring miss and could also prove a costly one.

A driving run from man of the match Eunan O’Kane led to Cherries’ next chance with Pitman’s rasping strike clipping the crossbar after Tubbs had laid the ball into his path.

Pitman was then denied by a deflection, his deft near-post effort from another Pugh cross cannoning off a defender and flying over the top for a corner.

Johansen was equal to a venomous left-foot strike from Ritchie and also beat away a stinging drive from O’Kane after the Irishman had weaved his way into the 18-yard box.

Against better opposition, Cherries could have been accused of living dangerously but there were few anxious moments as the Iron made it a fifth consecutive away game without a goal.

A stoic defensive display was summed up when Steve Cook atoned for his own error by racing back to make an excellent recovery tackle on James Alabi as the Stoke City loanee looked to level late on.

Match facts and Echo merit marks

Cherries: Allsop 7.5, Francis 7.5, Cook 7.5, Elphick 8, Daniels 8, Ritchie 7.5 (Fogden, 90), O’Kane 8.5, Arter 8, Pugh 8 (MacDonald, 82), Tubbs 7.5 (McQuoid, 73), Pitman 8. 

Unused subs: Fletcher, Seaborne, Hughes, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Ritchie.

Iron: Johansen, Nolan, Mirfin, Canavan, Newey, Duffy, Ryan, Collins, Barcham (Grella, 88), Forde (Alabi, 72), Hawley (Sodje, 72).

Unused subs: Ribeiro, Hornsey, Gibbons, Severn (g/k).

Booked: Newey, Canavan.

Attendance: 7,465 (including 146 visiting supporters).

Echo star man - Eunan O'Kane

A key figure in the Cherries engine room, the midfielder turned in a display full of energy and endeavour and was pivotal to the victory.

The Irishman was thoughtful in possession and made good use of the ball as Cherries created a number of presentable chances.

O’Kane also played his part with his defensive duties and, in tandem with Harry Arter, ensured Cherries would win hands-down the midfield battle.

Central defensive pair Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook repelled what little Scunthorpe threw at them, while Brett Pitman put in another good shift up front.