Eastleigh'S 2-0 Russell Cotes Cup semi-final victory over Fleet Town last night was tarnished by an ankle injury to Tyronne Bowers.

The tigerish midfielder came off worse in a two-footed lunge with Fleet's Ian Saunders that saw both players booked.

Bowers, whose return to form has been instrumental in lifting Eastleigh into Ryman Premier play-off contention, had only been on five minutes as a substitute.

"It's disappointing to suffer an injury in this sort of game," said manager Paul Doswell. "We're not sure yet what Tyronne's done. Either he's chipped a bone, done his ankle ligaments or it's just bad bruising."

On the plus side Ian Oliver, Eastleigh's recent signing from Swindon reserves, walked away with the man-of-the-match award on his full debut. Operating at left midfield, the 19-year-old had a hand in Eastleigh's second goal, playing in Ryan Ashford whose pin-point cross was headed home by James Stokoe at the far post.

Craig McAllister had headed Eastleigh in front from a Shaun Dyke free-kick.

Gosport Borough await Eastleigh in the final.

l Poole Town restored some pride by holding Thatcham to a 0-0 draw in the Wessex League Cup semi-final, second leg at the Tatnam Ground having lost the first game 3-0.

But though it was a much improved performance by the Dolphins, they were angry to have goalkeeper Kevin Scriven and skipper Neil Spalding dismissed late on.

Manager Tommy Killick explained: "The ball hit Kevin's hand outside the area, but it was late on and it didn't stop a goalscoring opportunity.

"When the ref sent him off our players were bound to be frustrated and Neil was red-carded for allegedly swearing. "We will appeal."

"I know Thatcham will have approached the game differently because of the first-leg score but, on the night, we were the better side," said Killick. "I'm just disappointed we didn't do better in the first leg."