Leyton Orient slumped to a 2-0 defeat at struggling Bournemouth in League One this afternoon.

The O's were well below par and could have no complaints when they conceded twice in the space of a couple of minutes in the second half.

The Cherries netted the opener when Lewis Grabban netted from close range and they doubled their advantage when a defensive mistake was pounced upon by Marc Pugh.

It was a game to forget for Orient who failed to trouble former England keeper David James and produced arguably their worst performance of the season.

Russell Slade handed a debut to striker Scott Wagstaff after his arrival on loan from Charlton Athletic. Wagstaff was partnered in attack by former Cherries forward Michael Symes.

Ben Chorley returned to the centre of defence after missing the Barnet game due to a one-match suspension. Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands both came back into the midfield after being left out of the midweek game against the Bees.

The hosts, who were lifted before the game by the return on to the pitch of new manager Eddie Howe, created the first chance but Shaun MacDonald fired wide of the target.

Symes spotted an opening after 12 minutes with James off his line but his long-range effort went past the post. 

The Cherries failed to test visiting keeper Ryan Allsop from a corner when Eunan O'Kane volleyed his effort over the crossbar.

Bournemouth had bossed possession during the first half hour but had still failed to test Allsop.

The home side had a great chance to take the lead after 34 minutes when O'Kane raced clear but he took far too long and his tame effort was parried by Allsop before the danger was cleared. 

It was a very untidy end to the first half which neatly summed up the quality on show at the Goldsands Stadium.

The Cherries had the first opportunity after the restart but Lee Barnard was at a very tight angle and his strike was easily held by Allsop.

The Cherries remained the better side and it was proving a real struggle for the visitors to construct any decent attacking moves.

Bournemouth grabbed the opening goal which they merited after 65 minutes when Simon Francis' corner was headed on by Leon McSweeney and went into the net off Grabban.

The O's had no time to react because they conceded the second within minutes to leave them staring at a miserable away defeat.

The ball was played to Orient captain Nathan Clarke but he slipped and Pugh took full advantage to round Allsop and slot into the empty net. 

Slade immediately introduced Ryan Brunt and Moses Odubajo in place of Cook and Symes in a bid to spark some life into his side. 

Wagstaff was starved off any service on his first appearance and an unhappy debut was brought to an end in the last ten minutes when David Mooney replaced him.

It could have been 3-0 in the closing minutes but former Orient player Charlie Daniels' free-kick was well saved by Allsop.

It was a game to forget for Slade's side and they will want to put it behind them quickly with no real positives to take from a desperate defeat. 

Bournemouth: James; Daniels, Francis, Addison, Elphick, Pugh, Grabban, O'Kane, MacDonald, Hughes (Davids, 44); Barnard

Subs not used: Jalal, Cook, Partington, McQuoid, Tubbs, Demouge

Leyton Orient: Allsop; McSweeney, Sawyer, Clarke, Chorley; Cox, Griffith, Rowlands Cook (Odubajo, 68); Symes (Brunt, 68), Wagstaff (Mooney, 81)

Subs not used: Baudry, Smith, Laird, James

Referee: Steve Martin 

Attendance: 5,715