GOALS either side of half-time from Brett Pitman and Anton Robinson saw Cherries take a giant step towards securing their Football League status.

Pitman paved the way for a crucial victory when he netted inside the opening three minutes to settle any nerves in the Cherries camp.

And Robinson’s first goal in a Cherries shirt ensured the points would return to Dorset, his strike coming with 11 minutes remaining.

Victory put daylight between Cherries and second-from-bottom Chester, with two separating the two clubs with just two games remaining. Cherries also have a far superior goal difference.

Jeff Goulding was restored to the Cherries starting line-up as boss Eddie Howe made one change following the defeat by Brentford, with Liam Feeney dropping to the bench.

Cherries made a dream start when Pitman opened the scoring after just 160 seconds, his free kick from near the left-hand touchline bouncing over Chester goalkeeper Jamie Spencer.

Ryan Lowe drew a comfortable save from Shwan Jalal before Chester’s leading marksman lifted another effort over the crossbar.

Pitman went close to adding a second on 19 minutes when his wickedly deflected strike almost looped over a stranded Spencer.

And the Chester goalkeeper, on loan from Rochdale, then saved theatrically from Mark Molesley’s 25-yard piledriver.

Jalal had an escape when he received only a booking for deliberately handling outside his 18-yard box, referee Paul Taylor ignoring the home crowd’s pleas for a red.

Laurence Wilson created the first chance of the second half, although his shot failed to trouble Jalal as it sailed over the crossbar.

Molesley twice went close to doubling Cherries’ lead with Spencer firstly diving to his left to save his side-foot effort from 12 yards.

The Chester goalkeeper then denied the midfielder with a top-drawer block after he had driven his shot across the face of the goalmouth.

Jalal snaffled Richie Partridge’s shot as Chester fashioned a rare opening before Cherries added a second with 11 minutes remaining.

Pitman’s delightful crossfield pass found Feeney in space and, although his low drive was saved by Spencer, Robinson followed up to bundle home the rebound.

An exchange of passes between Pitman and Steve Fletcher ended with Pitman seeing his rasping volley just clear the crossbar.

Cherries: Jalal, Cooper, Pearce, Garry, Wiggins, Molesley, Hollands, Robinson, Pitman (Connell, 90), Fletcher (Bradbury, 90), Goulding (Feeney, 58).

Unused subs: Guyett, Pryce (g/k).

Booked: Jalal, Garry.

Chester City: Spencer, Roberts, Wilson, Linwood, J Vaughan, Harris, Kelly (Jones, 81), Lowe, Ellison (Partridge, h-t), Barry (Rutherford, 60), Owen.

Unused subs: Mannix, Rule.

Booked: Vaughan.

Referee: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 3,349.