Defender Mickey Bell struck twice in the space of nine second-half minutes as Second Division Bristol City edged a win in a fiery LDV Vans Trophy Cup tie at Dean Court.

But referee Keith Hill provided the main talking point of a pulsating match after sending-off both Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Browning and City defender Tony Butler for two bookable offences.

Bell volleyed home his second goal in the space of four days to draw City level on 38 minutes after Bournemouth captain Carl Fletcher had put his side in front with his first goal of the season.

Bell expertly converted a left-foot drive into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1 after racing on to midfielder Craig Fagan's pinpoint deliver.

And nine minutes later, Bell made it 2-1 when he curled home a cross-cum-shot from the edge of the Cherries penalty area.

Free-scoring midfielder Scott Murray sealed City's passage through to the southern-section final deep into injury time with his 19th goal of the season shortly after Bournemouth had a clear penalty appeal turned down by Hill.

Bournemouth: Tardif, Stephen Purches, Carl Fletcher, Tindall, Narada, Elliott, O'Connor, Browning, Stock, Feeney, Holmes. Subs: John Purches, Thomas, Hayter, Foyewa, Steve Fletcher.

Bristol City: Phillips, Carey, Butler, Coles, Fortune, Murray, Doherty, Tinnion, Bell, Fagan, Roberts. Subs: Aaron Brown, Stowell, Clist, Lita, Correia.

Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire).