The Cherries away days marathon ended with an excellent 2-1 win at Macclesfield in a game played in a swirling wind and torrential rain.  With Dagenham & Redbridge losing against Rochdale, Bournemouth move back to the top of the table.  So after 1,500 miles of travelling, the side have gained four points and got through in the FA Cup, certainly an excellent return.

With the same side which started the Bradford game, Bournemouth totally dominated the opening spell of the game, creating a number of chances.  The best came on 7 minutes when after a handball, the side were awarded a penalty.  Brett Pitman stepped up, but his effort was excellently saved by Johnny Brain in the Silkman goal.  Pitman was then denied by a goal line clearance from former Cherries loan player Ricky Sappleton, closely followed by Brain again performing heroics to keep out Alan Connell.

Bournemouth continued to be on top, but were ricked when they went behind against the run of play on 35 minutes.  Lee Bell sent in a free kick and although Shaun Brisley appeared to have his foot high against Ryan Garry's head, the ball looped over Shwan Jalal to give Macc the lead.

Undeterred, the Cherries kept up their dominance and were rewarded in first half stoppage time when Brett Pitman rifled the ball home.

Macc;esfield to their credit came out strongly in the second half, which was a much more even affair.  Marvin Bartley put in a brilliant tackle to deny John Rooney.  Bournemouth gradually got back on top, and Liam Feeney came close when his effort was cleared off the line.

From this move though, the ball found Warren Cuimmings and his cross was met by Pitman who glanced the ball home to send the 204 Cherries supporters in the sparse crowd in to raptures.

Pitman came close to completing a hat trick with a wonderful effort late on, but the ball came back off the post.  The only black mark late on was a booking for Lee Bradbury, and that will see him suspended for next weeks match against Notts County.

All in all, an excellent day for Bournemouth, who now sit proudly back on top of the league and can at last enjoy home comforts again this week.