CHERRIES struck twice in four minutes before half-time to take control at Exeter today.

Yet they made the worst possible start slipping a goal behind after only five minutes. Stephen Purches was penalised for handling the ball and Andrew Roscoe drove the ball in left-footed from 20 yards.

Cherries had to wait until the 20th minute to make their first serious assault on goal and it was Carl Fletcher, picking up the ball from 25 yards, who drilled in a right-footed shot over the bar.

Fletcher was then shown the yellow card for a foul on former Saints forward Martin Thomas.

Graeme Power was booked for dissent then Stephen Purches tested Exter keeper Miller with a 25-yard free-kick.

A foul by Santos Gaia on Alan Connell resulted in a booking for tne Exeter player.

From the free-kick, taken by Purches, Derek Holmes got in a header which was parried away by Miller.

From the resulting corner taken by Danny Thomas, Shaun Maher powered in a header which sailed right of the post.

Cherries equalised after 35 minutes and Connell, who grabbed last week's winner at Macclesfield, was again on target. He lobbed home left-footed from left side of penalty area after being being picked out by Fletcher.

Within four minutes the visitors were in the lead when a cross by Purches ended with Watson being penalised for handling the ball. Wade Elliott stepped up and tucked the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of Miller's goal.

Glenn Croinin and then Cherries Derek Holmes were booked for fouls.

Purches was next to threaten with a shot from the edge of the box which Miller caught.

Coppinger drilled a shot wide of the Cherries goal then Connell got in a position to threaten the Exeter goal but mis-hit his shot and Miller saved with ease.

Gaia fouled Gareth O'Connor and was sent off for a second bookable offence. And Exeter were doubly punished when O'Connor drove home the free-kick from 20 yards.

Gareth Sheldon tried to pull one back for City but his 25-yard shot went wide.

SEE TONIGHTS PINK AND THE FREE SPORTS SUPPLEMENT IN MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO FOR FULL REPORTS AND PICTURES