NERVY Town had to dig very deep to grab three precious points.

It should have been easier after Luke Beckett marked his Galpharm debut with a double to add to Pawel Abbott's early penalty.

But talented Bournemouth launched a fluent and ferocious second-half fightback in which they fluffed a number of chances to add to James Hayter's double.

Sean O'Driscoll's play-off challengers pushed Town to the edge of their endurance - but with luck and determination in equal measure they somehow managed to hold on.

It was nerve-jangling stuff for the home contingent in a crowd of 9,754 - Town's third lowest at home all season - but after the events at Barnsley and the way leads have been squandered of late, Peter Jackson's men showed bags of character.

The manager deserves credit for his selection of three strikers from an injury-hit squad and the 4-3-3 formation definitely caused Bournemouth a lot of problems in the first half.

Andy Booth was the focal point for most of Town's best moves and with Beckett and Abbott moving neatly as Lee Fowler anchored a solid midfield, Bournemouth were very much second best before the break.

Town started the second period on top as well with Abbott going close to giving them a 4-1 advantage, but when Hayter netted his second of the match on 61 minutes it seemed to take the wind out of Town's sails.

Suddenly, Bournemouth were passing and moving like promotion contenders and with Wade Elliott causing all sorts of mayhem down the right flank - just like he did at Dean Court last month - the visitors were carving chances at will.

Home fans were getting restless when, with an equaliser on the cards, Rob Edwards made a smart block to deny Gareth O'Connor, while when John Spicer fired over from a Steve Fletcher header to Elliott's cross, the alarm bells were really ringing at full volume.

O'Connor flashed a shot wide as Town seemed unable to regain their composure and, when Fletcher and Hayter both touched crosses narrowly wide, it seemed only a matter of time before the scores would be level.

While keeper Neil Moss made a brave block to keep out Abbott's fierce drive on a rare Town break, Bournemouth kept up the pressure and should have been level with only six minutes left.

Hayter, once again, was on the end of the move but Paul Rachubka stood tall for long enough to stop his first effort, got a hand from Efe Sodje to block the follow-up from Spicer and then, when substitute Derek Holmes had a final bite for the Cherries, Rachubka was down to complete the escape.

By then, Town were camped in their own penalty area - but they were unfortunate not to seal the points from Rachubka's clearance, with Booth teeing up Beckett for what appeared his hat trick goal, only for the offside flag to be raised very late indeed.

It didn't matter, in the end, as Town secured only a third win in 16 outings thanks to the dominance of their first-half display.

With the back line very solid and the midfield three all working hard, Town had Bournemouth on the back foot and flourished after Shaun Maher grabbed Booth's shirt to concede his third penalty of the season with only seven minutes on the clock.

Abbott became the first Town player since Ronnie Jepson in November 1994 to score from the spot in successive games and, with Booth prominent in only his second start in 14, the whole team looked confident.

Free-kicks by Tony Carss and Fowler created pressure and the workrate was emphasised when skipper Jon Worthington robbed Stephen Purches of possession in the 34th minute to set up Beckett's first goal after rounding the keeper.

Rachubka made a brilliant save from Hayter on the break, but it looked like much of the good work would be undone when Hayter scored from Elliott's cross in the final minute of the half.

Fortunately, Town hit back straight away with Carss finding Booth on the run to square for Beckett's excellent finish.

It proved the winner and Beckett punched the air in delight before sharing high fives with Jackson as the crowd chanted "sign him up."

Here, here . . .

Next: Man of the Match >>>

Man of the Match: Andy Booth

While Efe Sodje and Luke Beckett were contenders, Boothy edged the award for his aerial power and his excellent link-up play. Helped at the back and involved in all three Town goals

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Much more like his usual self and made outstanding saves to deny Hayter when clear in both halves. Terrific Rating: 8/10

Nat Brown Had a good game at right back. Won his set-piece headers and got forward when he could. No nonsense when clearing Rating: 7/10

Rob Edwards Great early tackle on Elliott in the midfield but had his work cut out with the tricky winger. Determined showing Rating: 7/10

Steve Yates A first start in 10 games and very solid. His top experience helped the team through when under pressure Rating: 7/10

Efe Sodje Commanding display in the heart of defence and made a crucial block to stop Hayter when he was through Rating: 7/10

Lee Fowler Had a very strong first half and couldn't exert the same influence in the second as the visitors passed it well Rating: 7/10

Tony Carss Knocked the ball through for Town's third goal in his final match before hernia surgery. Close with a free-kick Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Covered every blade between the boxes and did superbly to disposses Purches and set up a first goal for Beckett Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Picked as one of a front three and did a superb job for Jackson. Gave Town presence and involved in all the goals Rating: 8/10

Pawel Abbott Took his tally to 19 for the season with an early penalty and might have had more with some super ball skills Rating: 7/10

Luke Beckett Unlucky not to get a hat trick, but two goals on his Galpharm debut were inspirational enough for the team Rating: 8/10

Bournemouth: Moss, Purches (Howe 83), Cummings, Spicer (Connell 87), Broadhurst, Maher, Elliott, O'Connor, Hayer, Fletcher, Browning (Holmes 83). Subs not used: Stewart, Coutts.