PICTURES: 17 years on from Fletcher

SEVENTEEN years ago today, Steve Fletcher netted his 100th career league goal - and perhaps his most important.

The Cherries were seeking a victory over Grimsby to complete a miraculous season, where, having faced down the barrel of relegation from the Football League following financial turmoil and a 17-point deduction, they were on the cusp of survival to ward off the threat of extinction.

Three months prior, former player Eddie Howe had been handed something of a poisoned chalice as boss at Dean Court.

STEVE FLETCHER HITS THE WINNER FOR BMTH AND HIS 100 CAREER GOAL AND CELEBRATES. (Image: Corin Messer Bournemouth Daily E)

He lost his first two games, to Darlington and Rotherham as caretaker boss, and took the job on a permanent basis with a ten-point deficit to close.

And close it he did.

The Cherries went on a run of just one defeat in seven which turned the momentum in their favour, and, heading into the final two games of the season against Grimsby at home and Morecambe away, they needed one win to ensure survival.

Nathan Jarman headed home to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead at the interval, but the hosts got themselves back onto level terms through Liam Feeney shortly after the break.

STEVE FLETCHER HITS THE WINNER FOR BMTH AND HIS 100 CAREER GOAL. (Image: Corin Messer Bournemouth Daily E)

Then, ten minutes from time, the crucial strike was delivered.

The ball came in from the left and Mark Molesley competed for it, it dropped to the then-36-year-old Fletcher, who powered home after chesting it down to send the 9,008 fans at Dean Court wild.

Club record appearance maker Fletcher had joined the club once again in January from non-league Crawley to help it in its plight, and he wheeled away in topless celebration, before being mobbed by his Bournemouth teammates.

The victory was completed and that began a miraculous rise up the football pyramid to the Premier League under Howe, and laid the groundwork for the success the club now experiences in the top flight.

Were you at Dean Court that day? See a gallery of pictures from the day above.