SAINTS might have an academy with a great reputation, but Cherries boss Kevin Bond believes kids can just as good a footballing education on and off the field at League One strugglers Bournemouth.

The latest products of the club's fruitful youth set-up both made impressive debuts as Cherries recorded a memorable 2-1 win over League One highfliers Tranmere yesterday at Dean Court.

Lymington's Josh McQuoid, a midfielder, and Sussex-based defender Billy Franks both played their part in the victory before they were replaced by fellow youth teamers Matt Finlay from Ringwood and Joe Partington from Fareham.

Cherries boss Kevin Bond paid tribute to the work of youth coach Joe Roach and his department when he said: "Joe and his staff have played a major part in a number of players having their debuts since I've been here and that is a great credit to them.

"They do a fantastic job.

"With respect, all the good youngsters trundle off up the road to Southampton to what they perceive to be a bigger and better club.

"But the education, both on and off the field, they receive here is no better than they get there.

"They have helped develop players who might not have had a shout of getting apprenticeships at other clubs."

Cherries were given a dream start when Tranmere skipper Ian Goodison put through his own net after just 33 seconds before Jo Kuffour doubled their lead in the 34th minute.

Ex-Saints coach Bond, whose squad was ravaged by injury and unavailability, added: "In all my years in football, I don't think I've had many more wins that were more rewarding or, in some ways, more surprising.

"It was nothing short of an heroic performance by the lads.

Asked about McQuoid and Franks's debuts, Bond said: "They were excellent, probably better than they could have ever expected, I would imagine.

"They stood up to a difficult situation and both came out of the game with an awful lot of credit."

Victory saw Cherries reduce the gap between them and safety to 12 points.

However, asked if a miracle could be on the cards, Bond replied: "It's probably unlikely.

"Once we went into administration, we knew it was really an impossible task.

"But to the players' credit, I don't think anyone watching today would have thought we had been docked points and been adversely affected by what has gone on because the lads were tremendous."