Bournemouth 1 Wrexham 0

Last updated : 28 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Bournemouth 1 Wrexham 0 Striker Alan Connell put nearly two years of injury misery behind him to fire Bournemouth to their 4th win in a row.

Connell had not scored since damaging a knee ligament in September 2002 and has continued to bep lagued by a series of injuries ever since.

But the former Ipswich forward showed he has lost none of his finishing ability by calmly converting a chance in the 28th minute to give the home side victory just 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Connell replaced winger Wade Elliott who limped off wtih a foot injury and was perfectly placed to side foot home passed Wrexham goal keeper Andy Dibble from 6 yards out.

Midfielder Marcus Browning released James Hayter down the right for the midfielder to deliver a pinpoint cross and Connell gave Dibble no chance with his finish.

Hayter was facing Wrexham for the first time since scoring a hat trick against the Welsh man in just 140 seconds in February and almost added to his talley against his favourite opposition after only 3 minutes.

Defender Dennis Lawrence's slip put Bournemouth's leading scorer through on goal but his lob over Dibble went well wide.

Wrexham midfielder Chris Llewellyn forced goalkeeper Neil Moss to make a good save in the 12th minute to preserve Bournemouth's lead but Wrexham felt they should have gone in front from the resulting corner.

Brian Carey and Danny Williams combined to scramble a shot golawards and teh ball appeared to have crossed the line before Moss saved but referee Andy Hall ruled in the home sides favour much to Bournemouths relief.

Hayter was inches away from extending Bournemouths advantage 3 minutes after the restart when, after combining well with first Connell and then Carl Fletcher, he sent a shot from 12 yards just the wrong side of the left hand upright wtih Dibble beaten.

But it was Wrexham who were the more dangerous side in the closing stages and teh visitors wasted two good chances to earn at least a draw.

Trinidad striker Hector Sam, who had scored 4 goals in 5 games, beat 3 defenders only to shoot widly off target with only Moss in front of him on 75 minutes then Lawrence headed wastefully over from just 6 yards out after being set up at the far post by Carey.