IN a season of few highs, Cherries fans may have been treated to a glimpse into the future as some of the club's fledglings hatched an Easter cracker yesterday.

Four of Joe Roach's current crop of impressive youth team players featured as Cherries pulled off an against-all-odds victory over high-flying Tranmere Rovers.

Josh McQuoid and Billy Franks were both handed their full senior debuts, while Matt Finlay and Joe Partington came off the bench.

And the quartet all played their part as Cherries recorded a comfortable win over a Tranmere side packed with quality and experience.

Cherries were rewarded for showing more enterprise and purpose going forward, while a solid rearguard action during the closing stages helped seal the points.

In truth, Rovers's display was as wishy-washy as their garish yellow kit as Kevin Bond's charges registered a comfortable triumph despite the visitors' late flurry.

Ian Goodison's first-minute own goal paved the way for victory before Jo Kuffour doubled Cherries' lead after 34 minutes.

And although Antony Kay netted three minutes from time to throw the visitors a lifeline, Cherries stood firm to chalk up a memorable, if possibily academic, victory.

With just six games remaining, no fewer than 12 points still separate Bond's side from safety and avoiding the dreaded drop remains a very tall order.

Cherries boss Bond was forced to make three changes to his starting line-up, with Josh Gowling and Brett Pitman ruled out through injury and Sam Vokes on international duty.

Youth teamers McQuoid and Franks were both handed their full debuts, while veteran Jo Tessem was drafted in to bolster a five-man midfield.

Franks, 18, who hails from Worthing, was given his first taste of first-team action, while Lymington-based McQuoid came in following a handful of substitute appearances.

And any butterflies for the pair must have soon disappeared as Cherries made a lightning start by racing into the lead inside the opening minute.

With just 33 seconds on the clock, Tranmere skipper Goodison inadvertently put through his own net to give Cherries a dream start.

The Jamaican international turned Max Gradel's cross past helpless Rovers goalkeeper Danny Coyne after Danny Hollands's sweeping pass had found him on the right flank.

It must have helped settle any nerves in the home camp as Bond's charges made an encouraging start in their attempt to keep alive the season.

Gradel again caused havoc down the right flank but after skinning Andrew Taylor and delivering a low cross, Tessem scuffed a weak shot from the edge of the box.

Rovers fashioned their first shooting opportunity after 19 minutes, although Ian Moore's effort did not trouble Cherries goalkeeper David Forde as it sailed high over the crossbar.

The visitors then had a flimsy penalty appeal waved away by referee Andy Hall after Chris Greenacre had taken a theatrical tumble under a challenge from Jason Pearce.

Despite their problems, Cherries quickly adapted and looked calm and composed against promotion-chasing Rovers, the visitors struggling to break down the hosts' defensive ranks.

And Rovers were rocked when Cherries increased their lead through Kuffour in the 34th minute, the striker taking his tally into double figures.

A typically-predatory strike, Kuffour was on hand to poke the ball home from inside the six-yard box after Rovers had failed dismally to clear Hollands's inswinging corner.

Rovers defender Taylor, who was given the run-around by Gradel throughout the opening period, resorted to desperate measures to stop the tricky Ivorian, earning a booking for his troubles.

Lee Bradbury followed him into referee Hall's notebook after bringing down Rovers' flying winger Jennison Myrie-Williams on the stroke of half-time.

Shane Sherriff also saw yellow after following through on Bradbury at the start of the second half before Stephen Jennings shanked a good chance off target after breaking down the right.

Rovers failed to capitalise on a misunderstanding between Forde and Hollands, Greenacre wasting his cross with the Cherries goalkeeper left marooned and out of position.

Coyne was forced to save smartly from Kuffour, the striker seeing his first-time effort palmed away by the Wales international after Gradel had slipped him in.

The two goalkeepers then traded outstanding saves within a minute, with Coyne firstly taking centre stage when he miraculously blocked from Pearce's close-range effort.

But Forde just about upstaged his opposite number when he somehow managed to claw Greenacre's header off the line after the striker had met Sherriff's cross with a bullet header.

Coyne again denied Gradel after McQuoid had threaded through a pass before linesman Darren Sheldrake suffered a temporary loss of vision when he failed to spot Goodison's blatant handball.

Franks received a generous ovation as he made way for Finlay, another youth team player to win his spurs, the Ringwood youngster coming on after 77 minutes.

Substitute Kay arrived unmarked to plant a header past Forde after Paul McLaren's free kick had found him in acres of space three minutes from time.

It was a consolation goal that the hapless visitors did not deserve and Cherries held out for a famous triumph despite a late onslaught.

* Daily Echo merit marks

Cherries (4-5-1): Forde 7.5; Bradbury 8, Cooper 8, Pearce 8, Franks 8 (Finlay, 77); Gradel 8.5*, Bartley 7.5, Hollands 8.5, Tessem 7.5, McQuoid 7.5 (Partington, 90); Kuffour 7.5.

Unused subs: Hutchings, Davidson, Pryce (g/k).

Booked: Bradbury, Gradel.

Tranmere Rovers (4-4-2): Coyne; Stockdale, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor; Myrie-Williams (Zola, 63), McLaren, Jennings (Kay, 74), Sherriff; Moore (Curran, 84), Greenacre.

Unused subs: Shuker, Achterberg (g/k).

Booked: Taylor, Sherriff.

Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands).

Attendance: 4,118.