AFC Bournemouth avoid drop

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AFC Bournemouth's manager Eddie Howe took great delight in once again proving the doubters wrong as hiis side dodged the drop.

Sensational goals from Liam Feeney and Steve Fletcher preserved Bournemouth's Football League status as they defeated rivals Grimsby Town 2-1 at Dean Court.

The result led to scenes of jubilation as players and supporters together celebrated on the pitch following the final whistle.

Howe, who has led the Dorset club from the brink of relegation to a rousing and successful finale since taking charge in January, deservedly soaked up the cheers and applause on a lap of honour.  With celebrations going on around him, the young manager told the Echo: “I’ve said it a few times but it’s just a feeling of relief. It’s a fantastic achievement from everybody and especially the players. Everyone can see how pleased they are. It’s a fantastic day and great for big Fletch to get the winning goal – brilliant. It didn’t look possible when we were 1-0 down at half-time and it looked like we had it all on. But again we came back when people didn’t expect us to.”

Howe  praised match-winner Fletcher, adding: “It was a big risk for him to come back and people don’t realise that he’s risked everything. He’s had a great career and this is just another chapter in the Steve Fletcher story.”

The veteran forward’s 80th-minute goal came thanks to a powerful close-range finish and Howe joked: “I’ve seen him strike it like that before - but not for a while. It was a great finish and great to see it hit the net.”