DEFENSIVE big guns Josh Gowling and Russ Perrett both handed Cherries boss Kevin Bond a timely boost by hitting the comeback trail yesterday.

The pair were given extended run-outs during Cherries' Pontin's Holidays Combination defeat by Wales and West Division rivals Bristol Rovers at Dean Court.

Perrett, sidelined for five weeks with a torn hamstring, came off after 58 minutes with a tight calf, while Gowling, who has been nursing a knee injury, played the first half.

And although Perrett was forced off, his exit was a precautionary measure and the duo are both expected to be in contention for Cherries' trip to Millwall on Saturday.

Reserve team boss Eddie Howe said: "It was good to see them back and it's a big plus to have them available because they are both important players.

"Russ has been out for a while so it should do him the world of good. He came off because his calf was a bit tight but providing he has no ill effects, he should train this week with a view to being involved on Saturday."

Youth team prospect Richie Whittingham fired Cherries into a 29th-minute lead before second-half goals from Matt Groves and Sean Rigg saw the Pirates hit back to claim the points.

Howe added: "It was difficult for us because we had a mixture of trialists and youth team players. I didn't think we played particularly well in the first half but went 1-0 up and although I thought we did slightly better in the second half, we lost 2-1."

Cherries ran the rule over three trialists - Christopher Kanu, the younger brother of Portsmouth striker Kanu, Jorge Prado Rus, a 25-year-old midfielder whose last club was Spanish outfit Deportivo Humanes and 23-year-old Canadian striker Omari Aldridge, who was on the book of Ottawa Fury.

Discussing the trialists, boss Bond said: "They all applied themselves well and did themselves no harm at all. But it's difficult to say whether, in the grand scheme of things, they would fit into our plans and we would need to have a longer look at them."

Aldridge blazed wide when well placed after just five minutes before Perrett teed up Whittingham for Cherries' opener.

Charlie Reece and Sammy Igoe both missed chances to level before Groves made it 1-1 with a neat finish.

And although Rigg was denied by Gareth Stewart in the closing stages, the striker gave James Queree the slip before slotting home the clincher at the death.

Cherries: Stewart, Kanu, Franks, Gowling (Queree, h-t), Perrett (Webb, 58), Newman, Prado Rus, Whittingham (Davidson, 40), Aldridge, McQuoid, Finlay. Unused subs: Ayres, Pryce.