A hat-trick in the first half from Brett Pitman has handed Bournemouth a 3-0 lead at the break of their Championship clash against rock-bottom Blackpool.

The home side had the first opening of the game as Pitman collected the ball outside the penalty area, but the striker could only fire well over the crossbar.

However, Pitman found the net minutes later to put his side into the lead. He was put through into the box with a through ball, and he was able to turn his man before burying a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Bournemouth came within inches of doubling their lead when Matt Ritchie delivered a dangerous set piece into the penalty area, but Tommy Elphick could only head his effort over the bar.

Pitman notched his second goal of the game when he latched onto Ritchie's deflected shot and managed to lift the ball over Elliot Parish and into the net.

The striker completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute when he was found unmarked in the penalty area, and he managed to maintain his composure to beat Parish with a right-footed strike.