Connell is on cloud nine

In true Hans Christian Andersen fashion, Alan Connell made a fairytale return by scoring the winner just seconds after coming off the bench.

And although his goal is unlikely to hit the headlines or cause a stir among the national media, it ended months of heartache for the popular young striker.

The 21-year-old suffered numerous setbacks as he tried to return from a serious knee injury sustained at Orient in October 2002.

He endured no fewer than five operations and plumbed the depths of despair as he contemplated the future.

Restricted to just one league start last season, Connell must have thought his problems were behind him until he was rushed to hospital after being struck down by appendicitis in mid-May.

But fully recovered, he enjoyed an impressive pre-season when he plundered five goals, including one in his first game back at Weymouth.

However, for tactical reasons, Connell started the new campaign on the bench and has been forced to bide his time and wait patiently for his chance.

He made up for lost time in no uncertain terms against Wrexham when he clipped home the decider with his left foot, just seconds after coming on as a replacement for Wade Elliott.

It was his first competitive goal since he scored during a 2-1 win at Lincoln in October 2002 and Cherries' first home win since they beat Wycombe at Dean Court almost six months ago.

With the exception of the visiting fans - who have never seen their side score at the Fitness First Stadium - nobody among the club's lowest league crowd since March 2003 would have begrudged Connell his goal. He described it as "the highlight of my career" and "one of the best days of my life".

But it could have been a very different story for Cherries who were on unfamiliar territory during the first half after they had been invited to attack the North Stand, normally their favoured option during the second half.

Cherries were almost caught napping inside the opening two minutes when a quickly-taken free kick found its way to Chris Llewellyn whose cross just eluded Chris Armstrong.

The visitors also had an escape in the early stages when James Hayter lobbed narrowly over the crossbar after Wrexham's pipe cleaner-built defender Dennis Lawrence had made a hash of dealing with Eddie Howe's hopeful clearance.

Neil Moss was then forced to tip a Llewellyn header over the crossbar before Wrexham were convinced they had taken the lead following the resultant corner when Brian Carey stabbed a low, driven cross by Darren Ferguson towards the goal.

As Moss scooped the ball into his arms, Carey and his team-mates raced across to remonstrate with Main Stand linesman Steve Tomlinson, but their protestations fell on deaf ears as the official was adamant the ball had not crossed the line.

Carey, commenting on the decision before he had seen a replay, said: "It was definitely a goal but you've just got to take it on the chin. We reacted badly because it was an injustice.

"I don't know where the referee was but I'm sure he was relying on the linesman to give it. We asked the linesman and he said it hadn't gone over the line."

Carey's observations were echoed by Wrexham boss Denis Smith who said: "There were no ifs or buts. I know the lads and they are honest. Everybody thought it was a goal except the person who matters.

"I couldn't see it from where I was, I can only go by the reaction of the players and I believe them. The linesman made a mistake, people do. It cost us because it changed the course of the game. It's frustrating but what's the point in jumping up and down or being abusive. It doesn't help, I'm sure he didn't do it deliberately."

Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll, who was watching from near the executive seats in the Main Stand, said: "From where I was, a large proportion of the ball crossed the line and I've got a great position. You can understand their frustrations, but whether or not the whole ball crossed the line, I can't be sure.

"I'm sure if the referee sees he has made a mistake, he will phone Denis and Kevin (Russell) to apologise - I don't think!"

Cherries were forced to make an early change when Elliott limped out of the action after taking a blow to his toe just 26 minutes in and his replacement Connell made his mark with his second touch.

He steered the ball home from close range after Marcus Browning's excellent slide rule pass had picked out Hayter who, in turn, despatched an inviting low cross from the right.

Hayter went close to doubling Cherries' lead at the start of the second half when he sent a right-foot effort looping wide following a neat one-two with Carl Fletcher.

Moss then got down well to smother a speculative effort by Armstrong before Brian Stock and Ferguson both required treatment following a collision. Ferguson was unable to continue and was replaced by Matty Crowell.

Carey collected the first booking after clattering through the back of Hayter before Dibble turned over a deft chip from Stock following Cummings' corner.

The Red Dragons squandered two good chances to restore parity in as many minutes, striker Sam riding tackles from Maher and Howe, only to horribly screw his final shot for a throw.

And after Carey had headed Crowell's corner back into the danger zone, the giant Lawrence contrived to nod his effort over the crossbar from barely six yards.

As play switched to the opposite end, Dibble saved well from Stock after the gifted Cherries midfielder had skipped through the middle and tried to pick his spot, low to the goalkeeper's left.