STEVE Fletcher will be hoping to help Cherries end a 10-year wait for revenge when they lock horns with old adversaries Gillingham tomorrow.

Fletcher lined up for Cherries when they were condemned to a controversial FA Cup third round defeat by the Kent outfit in January 2001.

The two clubs have enjoyed a fierce rivalry during Fletcher’s long association with Cherries and face off in a first round showdown at the Seward Stadium (3pm).

Cherries will also be desperate to right the wrong of their 6-0 thrashing in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Brentford as they bid to avoid exiting two cup competitions in the space of a week.

Fletcher bagged Cherries’ consolation when they bowed out of the FA Cup in the second round at Notts County last season, while the Gills were humbled by non-league Dover in the first round.

“We have got to try to put things right following the performance on Tuesday,” said Fletcher, who this week stepped down as Cherries’ assistant manager.

“It is a huge game and the FA Cup tie against Gillingham from 10 years ago is still in the memory bank. Even after such a long time, you could say we still owe them one!”

While Fletcher will be the only survivor in the Cherries squad from 2001, current Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler lined up for the visitors at Dean Court.

“We have had some rare old battles with them down the years,” added Fletcher. “None more so than in the FA Cup 10 years ago.

“We were 2-0 down and got it back to 2-2 with goals from Jermain Defoe and Carl Fletcher. We were the better team and looked the more likely to go on to win.

“But a controversial refereeing decision cost us. Paul Shaw, who scored the winner, was about 15 yards offside when he got the ball. But the ref deemed it had been a backpass and didn’t give it.

“I remember it to this day. We ended up losing when we had been outstanding. Gillingham got Chelsea in the next round and it just shows what one decision can cost you.”

Cherries boss Lee Bradbury will be forced to shuffle his pack with recent signings Wes Fogden and Charlie Sheringham both ineligible having played in earlier rounds for their former clubs.

Bradbury’s options will be further depleted by the unavailability of loan pair Jaime Peters (Ipswich) and Steve Cook (Brighton) as their respective clubs do not want them to become cup tied.

Loan agreements involving striker Wes Thomas (Crawley), Scott Malone (Wolves) and Simon Francis (Charlton) will permit them to face the League Two Gills as the teams battle for a place in the next round and £18,000 in prize money.

Cherries: (from) Flahavan, Francis, Barrett, Zubar, Cummings, Pugh, Purches, Arter, Malone, W Thomas, Symes, Fletcher, Molesley, Cooper, Taylor, Carmichael, Jalal.

Gills: (from) Flitney, Fish, Lawrence, Frampton, Martin, J Payne, Whelpdale, Lee, Jackman, Rooney, Kedwell, Montrose, King, Oli, S Payne, Weston, Richards, Gazzaniga.