Shot-shy City failed to dent Bournemouth's promotion push at soggy Dean Court.

The Bantams hit the bar through Gareth Evans but created very little and did not win a single corner.

Bournemouth created the first chance after an uneventful opening 20 minutes, top scorer Brett Pitman curling over the bar.

Lee Bullock, just back from suspension, picked up his 11th booking for bundling over Marvin Bartley but Pitman's ambitious 35-yard free-kick was easily saved.

Both sides played some neat football in midfield, though opportunities at both ends were at a premium. City, in particular, had offered no threat since a couple of early Ryan Kendall efforts.

But the stalemate was broken four minutes before half-time with a slick move from the home side.

Liam Feeney swept the ball in to targetman Steve Fletcher, who created space for Pitman to coolly slot his 20th league goal of the season into the bottom corner.

Bournemouth pressed for a second after the break and Peter Taylor took off both strikers, James Hanson limping off after pulling his hamstring.

Evans moved to the middle of a front three, flanked by subs Gavin Grant and Leon Osborne, and immediately smacked a shot against the bar.

Pitman missed a golden chance to double his tally but volleyed straight at Matt Glennon, who palmed the ball away.

Centre half Luke Oliver was thrown forward to put some height into City's attack. But he, too, got little joy from a back four well marshalled by Bartley.

Feeney went close to adding to Bournemouth's tally late on. But they had done enough to ease three points nearer to League One.