May 2 Morecambe 0-4 AFC Bournemouth Att: 2601

Eddie took the chance to rest a few regulars with starts for Ward, McQuoid, Partington and Crouch at the expense of Garry, Molesley, Robinson and Fletcher. Bournemouth would have expected to have the edge in morale going into this effectively meaningless fixture, the exhilaration of avoiding the drop contrasting with Morecambe's failure to make the play-offs, but the home side started much the brighter, attacking with a degree of skill and movement foreign to the normal pedestrian standards of the division. Annoyingly for them, Bournemouth proceeded to take the lead with their first meaningful chance, Ward heading in a corner from the right after seven minutes.

Morecambe continued to press but found our back four in characteristically mean mood, and when they did breach the defences Jalal was in top form and denied them with some excellent saves. You could almost feel sorry for them when Feeney cut in from the right and pinged an unstoppable effort into the top corner in the 36th minute. Just before half time the game was effectively ended as a contest by another high quality goal. Pitman received the ball with his back to goal from Bradbury's throw-in, left his marker for dead by feinting to go outside before dragging the ball across his body with his right foot and curling a precise low shot inside the post with his left. His attitude may leave a lot to be desired at times but there's no denying the ability.

By the second half Morecambe had accepted that this was not going to be their day and Bournemouth were able to relax and play some good attacking football. Feeney's pace in particular was proving a trial for the home defenders, although the end product as ever was unpredictable. In the 69th minute he sealed the win with an excellent cross which Pitman squeezed home from a narrow angle off the far post. Other chances followed against demoralised opponents, most of them falling to Pitman, who could and probably should have had a hat-trick had he stuck to the basics rather than attempting some flashy volleys and flicks.

Fletcher came on for Goulding with seven minutes left and expended rather less energy on the pitch than he had done during his warm-up routine, and Pitman's substitution with five minutes remaining produced a petulant display which earned him a deserved lecture from Howe, who rightly considered giving a debut to young George Webb of rather more benefit than allowing the temperamental striker any further opportunities to complete his hat-trick. Webb is small of stature but looked confident and skilful during his brief appearance and could be one to watch for the future.

Mission accomplished for the season, and at least on the playing and managerial side we are undoubtedly in a stronger position now than in August. If we can stay in business, keep most of this squad together and avoid any more points deductions - none of which are givens unfortunately - we might even have a shot at the play-offs next season.

Shwan Jalal produced a series of vital saves to snuff out Morecambe's chances of getting back in the game.

AFCB: Jalal, Bradbury, Ward, Pearce, Wiggins, Feeney, Partington, Hollands, McQuoid, Goulding, Pitman
Subs: Garry, Robinson, Molesley (for McQuoid, 73 mins), Fletcher (for Goulding, 83 mins), Webb (for Pitman, 85 mins)

Richie Barker, Leytonstone