MICHAEL Symes struck a clinical double as Cherries cruised into second place in League One with another accomplished home victory last night.

Exeter City became the latest victims of Eddie Howe’s exuberant side, who warmed up in fine fashion for Saturday’s derby clash at Southampton with a fantastic display.

Symes got the ball rolling inside two minutes when his precise shot opened the scoring.

With the Dean Court faithful in fine voice, Cherries gave them more to cheer about when Marc Pugh applied a final flourish to a well-crafted team move to double the advantage.

Exeter, who missed clear-cut chances in the first half, tried to get on the front foot after the break but the verdict was put beyond doubt when Symes kept his cool from the penalty spot.

Howe made one change to his starting line-up, with fit-again Symes rewarded with a recall following his goalscoring substitute appearance against Carlisle. The striker replaced Shaun Cooper, with Cherries reverting to a 4-4-2 formation.

Buoyed by Saturday’s fine victory, the hosts came flying out of the traps and it took Symes all of one minute and 40 seconds to justify his manager’s selection.

After good work down the right by loanee Adam Smith, Symes got Cherries off to a perfect start with a sumptuous strike.

Having taken a touch and assessed his options 20 yards out, the frontman curled a majestic left-footed effort over and beyond Grecians keeper Paul Jones and into the far corner.

There could – and should – have been an immediate response from the visitors, but Cherries were given a reprieve when seasoned striker Jamie Cureton failed to control his volley eight yards out.

In what was fast becoming an entertaining spectacle played at a rapid tempo, Cherries were not getting it all their own way against the in-form visitors.

Paul Tisdale’s Exeter, arriving in Dorset on the back of a month-long six-match unbeaten run, had their moments and gave the large and vocal travelling support grounds for optimism.

They had good reason to cheer Jones on 18 minutes when he produced a fine save to keep out a dipping drive from Josh McQuoid.

But Exeter’s followers were silenced 10 minutes later when Cherries doubled their lead with a beautifully worked second.

In a move sparked by a driving run out of midfield by Anton Robinson, Pugh showed lovely quick feet to get the ball away to McQuoid, who teed up Wiggins for a crossing opportunity.

The left-back did not disappoint and, when Liam Feeney nodded his deep delivery back into the danger zone, Pugh was on hand to put the finishing touch to a superb sequence of play.

Now fully into their stride, Cherries gave no hint of sitting back on their lead and set about increasing the advantage.

They almost did just that on 37 minutes when Pugh’s cross picked out McQuoid but, unmarked 10 yards from goal, Cherries’ top scorer misdirected his header.

Howe’s men were given a reminder of the threat posed by Exeter moments later but they were again grateful to wasteful finishing as Richard Logan headed wide when well placed.

Tisdale’s men demonstrated their desire to get back into the contest with a lively opening to the second period.

And but for a wonderful save from Shwan Jalal, the visitors could have reduced the deficit on 56 minutes.

Exeter’s top scorer Ryan Harley was the player to come close when he cut in from the left and smashed a powerful right-footed drive goalwards from 20 yards. But with the ball heading for the top left corner of his net, Jalal produced a spectacular stop to divert the effort over the crossbar.

Jalal’s opposite number then produced a fine save of his own to palm a McQuoid shot around the post.

But the game was all but put to bed when Symes bagged his fourth of the season – and third from the penalty spot – on 67 minutes.

After the skilful McQuoid had been felled, Symes stepped up to coolly convert and send Jones the wrong way.

There was still no sign of Cherries settling for what they had as they continued to push forward, much to the enjoyment of a now jubilant Dean Court crowd.

Robinson went close with a deflected drive before substitute Lyle Taylor fired wide after neat work by Pugh.

But there was to be no last-gasp drama at either end as Cherries ensured a perfect preparation for their trip to St Mary’s by comfortably claiming a deserved victory.