Euan Pollock’s first-half goal helped AFC Bournemouth keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup.

Pollock’s finely-taken tenth-minute strike earned the Cherries a 1-0 win against Southampton in their penultimate game in Group A at Staplewood Training Ground.

His third goal in the competition this season saw Shaun Cooper’s development squad deservedly reach the break leading following an impressive first-half showing.

And although Southampton had the lion’s share of possession after the break, a solid defensive effort, coupled with an assured display from 16-year-old goalkeeper Ollie Camis, ensured the visitors would not find a way through.

The Cherries complete their group games against the Saints at Vitality Stadium on Friday 11^th February with top two West Brom and Arsenal locking horns three days later.

Pollock opened the scoring in the tenth minute, finishing coolly from close range having been picked out by Tarik Gidaree’s low cross.

The 19-year-old, who is on a work experience loan with Hungerford Town, took a touch to beat his man and found the bottom corner with a precise right-footed shot.

Pollock then almost turned provider for Jake Scrimshaw, his pass to the striker intercepted by Southampton defender Matt Carson.

Christian Saydee chased down a through ball from Brooklyn Genesini, only to see his effort blocked by Will Tizzard.

Scrimshaw was denied by a fine save from Ollie Wright in the 25^th minute, the Southampton goalkeeper acrobatically parrying his volley following good work between Gidaree and Pollock.

A last-ditch saving tackle by Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo prevented Aaron Roberts from pulling the trigger after a neat one-two on the edge of the box with Saydee had created the opening.

Brennan Camp’s header from a Ben Greenwood cross looped over the crossbar with the impressive Pollock again pivotal in the move.

Luke Pearce, who scored for the Saints when the original game was fogged off in November, saw his effort charged down by Jack Wadham as the Cherries continued to frustrate the hosts.

Cherries goalkeeper Ollie Camis came off his line to smother a dangerous cross from Lewis Payne before Wright saved Greenwood’s free-kick at his near post on the stroke of half-time.

Ibsen Rossi was in the right place at the right time to block a shot from one of the Saints’ two trialists early in the second half.

Luke Nippard replaced Saydee after 62 minutes before Doyle poked narrowly wide for the visitors following a cross from Payne.

The Cherries had a let-off when Doyle’s snapshot midway through the second half rattled Camis’s right-hand upright.

Matt Burgess came on for Pollock in the 68^th minute, the midfielder making a welcome return following a lengthy injury layoff.

Camis saved comfortably after Josh Squires had taken aim from distance before the young goalkeeper excelled himself by keeping out Otseh-Taiwo’s effort.

Otseh-Taiwo, put through by Squires’s pass, only had Camis to beat but the 16-year-old spread himself and saved with his legs four minutes from time.

Dom Ballard went close to grabbing an equaliser in the closing stages, his angled drive flashing past the post.

And deep in added time, a clearance at the near post by Saints’ trialist defender prevented Scrimshaw from doubling the Cherries’ lead.

AFC Bournemouth: Camis, Genesini, Greenwood, Wadham, Camp, Ibsen Rossi, Gidaree, Pollock (Burgess, 68), Scrimshaw, Saydee (Nippard, 62), Roberts. Unused subs: Seddon, Williams.