Advanced search using Equals

Hi,
In response to topic 869 where there is a known issue using "Equals" in version 2.4 is there a way of modifying the ASP rather than to rebuild using 3.1? <img src='https://asprunner.com/forums/file.php?topicimage=1&fieldname=question&id=880&image=1&table=forumtopics' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
My advanced search works using "Contains" but it isn't as precise as equals.
Thanks,
Martin