By Gregg Davies @ Dean Court

Hereford United were left still a point shy of League Two survival after high-flying Bournemouth remained on course for automatic promotion with their fifth consecutive home win.

The Cherries' top scorer Brett Pitman bagged a brace - the first from the penalty spot - in a 2-1 triumph, with Marc Pugh reducing arrears with the last kick of the game, leaving the Bulls 12 points clear of 23^rd placed Grimsby with four games remaining.

Graham Turner made three changes to the side beaten by the Mariners at Edgar Street. Gavin McCallum and Sam Gwynne displaced Lewis Young and James McQuilkin respectively, while Leon Constantine came in for Mathieu Manset, nursing a groin problem.

Hereford, returning to Bournemouth for the first time since 1982, made a strong start, with both McCallum and Gwynne testing Baghdad-born goalkeeper Shwan Jalal from distance.

And after Pitman had seen his looping header land on the roof of the net, McCallum broke free for a second time, but saw his near-post drive fielded by Jalal.

Bournemouth began to boss proceedings without seriously testing Adam Bartlett between the Bulls' sticks.

However, United's custodian could do nothing to prevent Pitman plundering his 24^th of the campaign from the penalty spot after 32 minutes, following Ryan Valentine's challenge on Danny Hollands inside the danger-zone.

Eddie Howe's side could then have the put the result beyond doubt before the break, with Hollands' goal-bound effort cleared, Liam Feeney's drive clipping the roof of the net and Pitman's piledriver drawing a fine save from Bartlett.

And having squandered those opportunities, the Bulls almost made them pay on the stroke of half time, as the ball fell favourably for Constantine, who smashed a shot against a post from long-range.

Bournemouth came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half, but needed as many as 12 minutes to create a meaningful effort.

Former Bull Sammy Igoe - on for another ex-Hereford player Alan Connell at half time - picked out Pitman, whose sumptuous shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped behind by Bartlett.

Hereford struggled for shots on goal after the interval, with McCallum's drive that drifted comfortably wide United's first opportunity of note in the 69^th minute.

And soon after the Cherries put the game beyond the Bulls' grasp, as Gwynne's attempted back-pass to Richard Rose was pounced on by Pitman, who surged forward and converted with a consummate ease.

The division's third highest scorer threatened to complete a hat-trick, exchanging a neat one-two with substitute Jeff Goulding before volleying wide of the near upright.

But to their credit, the visitors battled to the final whistle.

And after McQuilkin had dragged a 20-yarder well wide, Pugh notched his 11^th of the season in the dying embers, beating the advanced Jalal to Kenny Lunt's through-ball and calmly side-footing home.

Bournemouth (4-4-2): Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce ©, Bartley, Wiggins, Feeney (Cummings 90), Hollands, Robinson, Connell (Igoe 46), Fletcher (Goulding 83), Pitman.

Subs Not Used: Thomas, Guyett, McQuoid, Partington.

Booked: Bartley, Pitman.

Hereford United (4-4-2): Bartlett ©, Green, D. Jones, Rose, Valentine, McCallum (King 87), Lunt, Gwynne (McQuilkin 78), Pugh, Constantine, Jervis (Young 60).

Subs Not Used: Done, Weir, Lowe, C. Jones.

Booked: McCallum.

Attendance: 6,128.