YOU have to go back 58 years for Saints' last league defeat against AFC Bournemouth. 

But there was no denying that Eddie Howe’s side deserved what must rank as one of their most satisfying wins of an incredible season.

Cherries’ first league victory against their nearest neighbours since an (old) division three encounter at Dean Court in October 1958 may finally persuade the doubters that this fixture is a proper derby.

Bournemouth were well worth their victory for a spirited display, full of verve and passion and no little quality. 

They were especially good during a mesmerising first half in which Steve Cook volleyed the opening goal after Fraser Forster got a hand to Matt Ritchie’s free kick.

When Benik Afobe leapt above Virgil van Dijk to head in the second ten minutes from time, Saints were left to rue a second successive defeat on the back of a six-match unbeaten run that had raised hopes of an improvement on last season's. 

Saints will need to play like champions for the rest of the season to match their 60-point tally of 2014/15.

But it is remarkable to think this was a League One fixture when the sides last met at this stadium only five years ago.

Both sides have made extraordinary progress, so much so that there were only two survivors from that match involved last night (Bournemouth duo Adam Smith and sub Mark Pugh).

Saints boss Ronald Koeman made two changes to the team that lost to Chelsea.

Maya Yoshida came in for Matt Targett, allowing Ryan Bertrand to play at left wing-back, while James Ward-Prowse replaced Jordy Clasie in midfield.

But so dominant were Bournemouth during the opening half hour that Koeman replaced Yoshida with Steven Davis and switched to a back four.

You would not have thought that Bournemouth had lost their previous three home games. 

There was barely a minute on the clock when new dad Josh King got the better of Fonte and Matt Ritchie, from Virgil Van Dijk’s initial clearance, fired a shot that was saved at by Forster at his near post.

Bournemouth’s wingers were always a threat and Ritchie turned creator when he breezed past Ryan Bertrand with an impudent flick over the Saints man’s head before crossing for King, who shot wide at the near-post. 

“Can you hear the Scummers sing?” roared a pumped-up Cherries crowd relieved to see former Poole Town man Charlie Austin also miss a near-post chance, from Cedric Soares’ cross after good work down the right from Sadio Mane and Ward-Prowse.

Fortunately for Saints there was no-one in the middle to meet Benik Afobe’s cross but Yoshida’s wonderful pass from the heart of defence put Bertrand away down the left. 

The ensuing cross was inches from the sliding, outstretched Austin, who no doubt had more than a few of his Poole Town pals in the crowd.

Mane soon fired over from Romeu’s pass and Boruc got his mitts to the ball as Long stretched for a second bite at an Austin cross. 

But Bournemouth were always dangerous. There was an expectant buzz about the place when Van Dijk fouled King in a central position 20 yards out. 

Drew Surman rolled the ball into the path of Ritchie and the relief felt by the Saints fans behind Forster’s goal was tangible as the dead ball was slammed into the wall.

Harry Arter and former Bitterne boy Surman showed off their range of passing during an encouraging period for the home side.

And then it happened.

Fonte bore the wrath of the Dean Court faithful after hauling back King when he was beaten on the right side of the Saints penalty area. 

Ritchie, a boyhood Pompey fan, whipped in the free-kick, which was diverted by the iron palm of Forster, but only as far as Steve Cook, who volleyed in the rebound from the edge of the six-yard box to give Cherries a 31st-minute lead.

The goal sent the charged atmosphere up a notch or two. Suddenly this felt like a veritable local derby.

Five minutes later, Saints switched to a back four when Yoshida was replaced by Davis, with Romeu dropping to the base of a diamond formation in midfield.

Sadly, the first half ended with Koeman and several other members of the Saints bench calling for referee Mike Dean to blow his whistle after fourth official Kevin Friend collapsed before hitting his head on the away dug out.

The interval was extended by five minutes as Friend was treated and then replaced by Dean Treleaven.

But Saints’ night got worse when Austin hobbled off just past the hour to cries off “Charlie Austin, he’s injured again”. 

Moments later, Long – having passed a fitness test after hobbling off against Chelsea – required treatment after clattering Cook as they challenged for a ball in the Cherries area. 

Dusan Tadic replaced Long for the last 20 minutes but Saints created little in the way of chances.

Pelle’s scuffed 20-yarder was all they fashioned until Cherries doubled their lead ten minutes from time.

Ritchie swung in a free-kick from the right and Van Dijk, for the second time in four days, was beaten in the air as Afobe headed in the crucial second past a despairing Forster at the near post.

Cherries may not raise the hackles like Pompey but after this encounter the next instalment is one to look forward to.

SAINTS: Forster, Cedric, Yoshida (S.Davis 35), Fonte, Long (Tadic 70), Mane, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Austin (Pelle 60).

Unused Subs: Stekelenburg, Clasie, Martina, Targett.

BOURNEMOUTH: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter (Gosling 66), Surman, Gradel (Pugh 85), King (Grabban 70), Afobe.

Unused Subs: Federici, Distin, Elphick, Murray.