ALTHOUGH the 90s may have been somewhat nervous for Sean O'Driscoll, bringing up the century was certainly something to celebrate.

Cherries marked O'Driscoll's 100th league game at the helm by chalking up their first home win of the season with a comprehensive victory over the big-spending Diamonds.

Steve Purches's gem started the ball rolling before Shaun Maher headed home a precious second.

And Cherries' jewel in the crown Alan Connell capped a memorable display by striking gold for the fourth time in five games when he completed the scoring in the dying seconds.

Cherries almost took the lead after four minutes when Wade Elliott released Connell down the right flank who in turn squared the ball to Derek Holmes only for Diamonds 'keeper Billy Turley to save with his legs.

Turley was also in the right place at the right time to save from Elliott after he had cut in from the right before sending a swerving left-foot effort goalbound.

And as chances flew thick and fast for Cherries, Holmes clipped over the bar from the edge of the box before Connell saw his volley blocked by Diamonds defender John Dempster.

The visitors carved out a couple of chances in quick succession, a diving header from Onandi Lowe flashing just past the post before Neil Moss smothered a shot from Scott Partridge.

However, Cherries were rewarded when they deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes in quite spectacular fashion.

Danny Thomas did superbly to head the ball into the path of Purches near the left touchline before the Cherries defender cut in and unleashed a stunning 35-yard piledriver which flew into the back of the net with Turley grasping thin air.

But Purches' joy turned to despair just minutes later when he mis-kicked his clearance from Paul Hall's corner straight to Dempster who smashed home the equaliser from close range.

Cherries squandered a glorious chance to regain the lead when Thomas fluffed his shot with the goal at his mercy after Holmes had flicked on Neil Young's cross.

Marcus Browning saw a shot saved by the knees of Turley following good work by Elliott who was also involved as Cherries went agonisingly close to netting a second on the stroke of half-time only for Connell to poke the ball wide.

Cherries were forced to weather a brief spell of pressure after the break, although shots from Lowe and Stewart Wardley failed to trouble Moss.

Cherries restored their lead in the 58th minute when Maher arrived to plant a superb header into the top left-hand corner of Turley's net following Thomas' corner.

And it was almost 3-1 when the move of the match ended with Connell seeing his header punched away by Turley following superb build-up play involving Elliott and Thomas.

Connell was rewarded for his endeavours when he got his name on the scoresheet five minutes from time with a close range tap-in after the industrious Browning had broken free on the right before teeing up his team-mate.