AFC Bournemouth 2 Exeter City 0.

Saturday 22 February 2003.

Referee: S Tomlin

Att: 6674

BBC match report –

Substitute Gareth O'Connor scored with his first touch to seal a home victory for Bournemouth and deepen Exeter's troubles at the bottom of the table.

Exeter strikers Sean Devine and Steve Flack had forced good saves from Bournemouth goalkeeper Neil Moss before the home side took the lead through striker Derek Holmes just before half-time.

James Hayter set up Holmes for the Scot to fire his fourth goal of the season on his return to the starting line-up.

Devine again went close for Exeter just after the restart when his deflected shot went inches wide, while Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney wasted a golden chance to extend Bournemouth's lead soon afterwards.

Feeney was fouled in the area by Scott Hiley but could not convert the spot-kick.

But substitute O'Connor wrapped up victory when he collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and drilled a low shot into the corner of the net.

Bournemouth: Moss, Buxton, Tindall, Carl Fletcher, Elliott, Stock, Browning, Hayter, Cummings, Holmes, Feeney. 

Subs: Tardif, Eribenne, Steve Fletcher, Stephen Purches, O'Connor.

Exeter: Miller, Whitbread, Hiley, Gaia, McConnell, Walker, Cronin, Pettefer, Power, Devine, Flack.
Subs: Fraser, Coppinger, Curran, Goodman, Todd.

Referee: S Tomlin (E Sussex).