RHOYS Wiggins felt justice was done as Cherries secured another vital victory in their quest for League Two survival.
Eddie Howe’s men dominated against Accrington Stanley at Dean Court yesterday but were restricted to a 1-0 winning margin by a fine goalkeeping display from Kenny Arthur.
The home fans had to wait until the 86th minute for the winning moment – with in-form striker Brett Pitman again producing the goods with a fine volleyed finish.
Left-back Wiggins, on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, was involved in the game’s main talking point when he conceded a late penalty.
But Stanley’s Andrew Procter missed and Cherries went on to claim maximum points.
The talented defender admitted he was beginning to get edgy as Cherries struggled to find a way past a resolute and well-organised visiting side.
“The longer it ticks on you don’t want to concede any goals and nerves kick in,” the Welsh under-21 international told the Echo.
“But you have to concentrate on your own individual jobs and keep plugging away because we’ve proven we can break sides down.
“We had a few chances before we actually made the breakthrough but I thought we were unlucky not to take the lead earlier on.”
It could have been a different story, however, had the visitors converted their 79th -minute penalty.
Wiggins was a relieved man after watching Procter sky the spot-kick, because he was the player guilty of giving away the penalty.
The 21-year-old was penalised for a trip on Stanley’s Peter Cavanagh, but he thought referee David Phillips’s decision was incorrect.
“I wasn’t happy with it at all,” said Wiggins.
“The linesman told me it was outside the box but he didn’t give the authority to the ref so I was disappointed with the linesman, but I think justice proved.
“I think I definitely touched him but it was miles outside the box and that’s the thing I was disappointed with.”
The victory moved Cherries to within five points of Barnet and Grimsby after their relegation rivals slipped up on a good day for the Dorset club.
And Wiggins is now bullish about the team’s chances of securing League Two safety.
He said: “It’s looking good at the moment and we’ve just got to keep it going.
“We’ve got some important away games now and if we get positive results there we will put ourselves in great contention.”
Wiggins was joined in the Cherries back four by Joe Partington, who played at centre-half in the absence of suspended skipper Shaun Cooper and injured pair Scott Guyett and Ryan Garry.
And he was impressed at how the young midfielder adapted to his new role.
“I thought he did very well and a clean sheet says it all really,” said Wiggins.
“We got a bit lucky with the penalty miss but Parts won his headers against an experienced tall player who is meant to be known for being good in the air, so he did brilliantly for us filling in.”
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