A.F.C. Bournemouth team: Baker, Butler, Miller, Benson, Impey, Barton, Johnson, Rudge, Riley, Buttle.
Exeter City team: Key, Templeman, Hore, Morrin, Phillipson-Masters, Hatch, Hodge, Kellow, Robertson, Beer (Weeks), Jennings.

A.F.C. Bournemouth scorers: Rudge, Barton. Attendance: 4,621.

Exeter City are up and down the Fourth Division table like a yo-yo. One game they play classic football, the next, it is so mediocre. They simply have to show more consistency if they are to figure in this season's promotion race.

City lacked the killer punch in front of goal, and their cause was not helped by the injury to seven-goal Alan Beer, who limped off with a twisted knee. Bournemouth took an early lead in the 14th minute following a 40-yard pass over the top of the City defence. Exeter were caught flat at the back and John Rudge netted with a low shot into the far corner.

Bournemouth's second came in the 64th minute from the penalty spot. Bobby Hodge had nudged Rudge in the penalty area and Frank Barton scored from the spot.

Exeter City manager John Newman is well aware at the concerns over his team's form on the road this season.

"You can't win them all, I realise this only too well, but I am extremely concerned about our performances away from home," said Newman.

"We seem to be able to do the job required of us at St. James' Park, but when we travel away and need to keep the impetus going, we tend to become far too lethargic and even polite. We must learn to treat the opposition away from home as the other party, and whilst having respect for their principles and ideals, we must be in the mood to destroy them with the venom of a deadly poisonous snake."

"They must be punished into submission, so that when the points are tallied, they are the losers. When I speak of punishing the oppositon, I do not mean by physical abuse, but by skills and determination, by the sheer artistry of a performance. We must become a team unit and attack the opposition with the skill and daring of a regiment of soldiers, so that in the end, attack becomes the best form of defence."

"The defeat at Bournemouth last Saturday was a setback. We must now get back on the victory path and not play follow the leader. The only leader to follow is the bottom side in the Third Division."