The Cherries' slim play-off hopes took another blow on Saturday as the side put on an abject performance that was devoid of any urgency or desire and went down at bottom of the table Rochdale by a goal to nil.
Gary Jones' injury time penalty put the icing on a sour cake for Bournemouth as they now have gone three away games on the bounce without scoring a goal.

Bradbury was forced into one change to the side that lost against Orient on Tuesday, Cook rolled his ankle in training and disembarked the coach on crutches meaning Purches came in at right back with Francis moving into the centre.

Just five minutes in though and the defence had to be reshuffled as Purches went down screaming in agony following a tackle with Jones. The challenge was completely fair with both players getting a chunk of the ball but the versatile defender came off worse and suffered a double break to his leg. Young Dan Strugnell came on in his place and slotted in at centre back with Francis moving back to his more favoured right back position.

The injury to Purches seemed to affect both sides, especially the visitors whose minds seemed elsewhere for the remainder of the game. Passes went astray and tackles were half-hearted as the travelling hardcore watched on in disappointment.

In spite of this the away side were the first to have a chance to take the lead. Donal McDermott was once again one of the few bright sparks on the pitch and he cut inside from the right, weaved across the edge of the box and then sent a shot towards the top corner which Kurucz parried to safety.

The game then saw a ten minute spell consisting purely of Rochdale pressure. The Cherries could not keep hold of the ball long enough sparking wave after wave of Rochdale attacks. Having said that the home side failed to really trouble Flahavan in the Bournemouth goal as despite several corners and free kicks being slung into the box, the only efforts on goal came from outside of the area which Flahavan dealt with well when called upon.

The first clear-cut chance of the game fell to the away side on 37 minutes. Both Tubbs and Thomas had been quiet all game but the former sent the latter through on goal, however after out-muscling Amankwaah, Thomas could only slide the ball straight at the advancing Kurucz.

Seven minutes were added on at the end of the half and at the end of this time the Cherries again should have taken the lead when Pugh crossed for Thomas to head over when completely unmarked six yards out.

The referee then brought to an end a distressing half and both sides trudged off at the break.

Half Time: Rochdale 0-0 AFC Bournemouth

There was action at both ends right at the beginning of the second half with Akpa-Akpro testing Flahavan before Thomas got in behind only for Amankwaah to get in a vital touch just as Thomas was about to pull the trigger causing his shot to fly high and wide.

Those two chances were about as good as it would get for the next 15 minutes as both sides struggled to get any flow together.

Bournemouth's play was incredibly predictable, lots of sideways passes before a chipped ball down the line which was easily dealt with time and time again by the Rochdale defence. Meanwhile everything that the home side did came through Gary Jones but their strikers consistently failed to hold on to the ball meaning the spectators were subjected to a drab affair.

The visitors were calling out for a change, there was once again no presence in the centre of midfield and the wingers, Pugh in-particular, were not having any joy out wide. To add to that both Thomas and Tubbs were found flat footed time and time again causing attacks to break down before they had even begun.

There were a brief flurry activity after the hour mark with both sides having chances to go ahead. Firstly Thomas outpaced Widdowson on the right to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Tubbs, but the Cherries' big money signing could only slide the ball on to the base of the post and behind when a goal really should have been the outcome. This prompted chants of "what a waste of money" from the Dale fans.

Down the other end Nicky Adams had a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead after he was set up following Arter being caught in position, but Flahavan came flying from his goal to make a fabulous save to keep the scores level. Widdowson then fired out of the ground from the edge of the box.

Bournemouth again had a clear chance to take the lead on 72 minutes but again their finishing let them down when Daniels headed over Pugh's cross from six yards, before substitute Thompson had a goal disallowed for offside for Rochdale.

The away side made their first change on 85 minutes which left very little time for an impact from Fletcher and Malone who came on for Tubbs and McDermott.

In fact before either could touch the ball it was the home side who snatched victory in added time in hugely disappointing fashion as far as the visitors will be concerned. Feisty striker Ashley Grimes tried his luck from 18 yards but Flahavan was once again equal to his effort. Adams was first to the rebound but his half-volley was blocked by Francis causing the ball to loop into the air, the ball looked to be heading out for a goal kick but still Harry Arter took in upon himself to run into the back of Thompson to send the substitute tumbling, a clear penalty. Jones then duly sent Flahavan the wrong way from the spot to send the home fans into raptures and the away fans to the exits.

Full Time: Rochdale 1-0 AFC Bournemouth

Overall:

A terrible result. We were very poor throughout yet still had enough clear cut chances to win the game. Rochdale was plucky and determined but lacked any real quality and we really should have seen them off. I cannot help but think that the injury would have affected our players, I know if my mate broke his leg right in front of me I’d have my mind elsewhere for the rest of the game. That said, they still should have been able to show more urgency and composure to put away the opposition. I also cannot understand why Bradbury took 85 minutes to make a change during a game where a Malone type player would have flourished. In my opinion Arter and MacDonald cannot play together. Arter seems to get all the stick but I have not seen anything from MacDonald recently to suggest he is any better. McDermott and Malone need to start on the wings and Gregory needs to start as a holding midfielder. The only player who has performed consistently well recently is Simon Francis, if the others showed the same endeavour and attacking desire as he does we could well go on a huge run, which is what we need now if we are to get anywhere near the play offs.

Bournemouth's four match winning run on home soil came to an end on Tuesday as Leyton Orient snatched all three points to gain revenge for their defeat in the reverse fixture back in September. Marc Pugh's first half equaliser was cancelled out by goals either side of the break for Kevin Lisbie and Jimmy Smith as the O's escaped from Dean Court with the spoils.

Bradbury made two changes to the squad that had drawn at Hartlepool on Saturday as he brought in McDermott for Malone and Arter for Gregory in midfield. Charlie Daniels lined up against his former club.

The home side started brightly with some fantastic passing football. Donal McDermott was at the heart of everything on his return to the side and it was his pass to Tubbs on 10 minutes that led to the small striker sending a low effort just out of Thomas' reach and inches past the far post.

Thomas himself then had an attempt from range which was well held by Butcher in the O's goal as the home side continued to dominate.

As is often the case in football though the visiting side managed to nick a goal against the run of play, and it was one that Darryl Flahavan will want to forget in a hurry. A free-kick into the box from Dickson was met with a poor clearing header by Zubar, as the ball fell to Lisbie though there looked to be no trouble but the much traveled striker span on a sixpence and shot goal wards. Flahavan looked to have the shot covered but his usually impeccable handling for once let him down as he spilled the shot into the back of the net. 0-1

The Cherries did not let this set back get to them though as they continued to push forward. McDermott had a shot fly just wide and then Thomas sent in a powerful low cross which required a brave interception from Cuthbert to prevent Tubbs from scoring. Thomas then closed down Butcher and was unfortunate not to see the ball break his way as the Orient goalkeeper's touch let him down.

On 32 minutes Bournemouth got the reward their play deserved as they grabbed an equaliser. Thomas managed to shrug off a challenge and play in Tubbs, Tubbs was then scythed down by Forbes for a clear penalty but the ball fell to Pugh who slotted home into the bottom corner to bring the scores level. 1-1

The goal spurred the home side on and they came close to taking the lead just moments later when MacDonald tried an ambitious half volley from 30 yards which sailed just over before McDermott saw a left-footed strike tipped around the post by Butcher.

Daniels was the next to have a try from range but Butcher was again equal to the attempt as the half ended with the game all square.

Half Time: AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Leyton Orient

After a positive first half performance the home fans were hoping for more of the same after the break. But it just did not seem to click in the same way.

Zubar had to be on hand to prevent Tehoue giving the away side the lead before Flahavan made a save from Jimmy Smith.

Orient were sticking to their game plan and had made it a scrappy contest. This meant that the ball began spending a lot of time in the air which played perfectly into their hands with the strong defensive partnership of Cuthbert and ex-Derby man Leacock dealing comfortably with the long balls forward.

That said, the home side were still causing their opponents problems going forward and should have been given a chance to take the lead just before the hour mark in a moment which saw the beginning of a strange run of decision making by the officials. When Forbes miscued setting Tubbs in on goal the home fans must have sensed a second goal was on the card. Tubbs then opted to cut inside before being inexplicably chopped down by Cuthbert. The foul was clear for all to see, except for the referee Williamson that is who waved away the appeals for a stone-wall penalty.

With the home support still fuming from this decision the man in the centre then decided to further adhere himself to them when he turned down more penalty appeals as Cuthbert appeared to move his left arm towards Arter's shot to divert it away. What has gone somewhat unnoticed though was the fact that the ball then fell to Tubbs who with all the time in the world to move in on goal looked to lack composure and screwed an effort way wide of the mark.

Butcher then produced a fine save to keep out Tubbs after the ball broke to him from a McDermott pass before Flahavan did equally as well at the other end to keep out Leacock's close range header.

As the half grew older Bournemouth began to lose composure and started to panic in possession. This was in part due to Orient closing the ball down well and preventing any flow from returning to the game, and after soaking up all of the pressure the O's then hit the Cherries with a classic sucker punch.

The whole move started with a linesman's decision which was for want of a better word completely baffling. McDermott smartly sent Tubbs through down the right hand side, Tubbs had delayed his run to remain a good two or three yards onside right in front of the referee's assistant but after a delay the bleached blonde official decided to raise his flag to further infuriate the majority of the 5400 in attendance. From the free kick the away side won a throw in and from this Tehoue picked up the ball to send a high looping cross to the far post where Jimmy Smith beat Daniels in the air to thump a header home. 1-2

Bradbury reacted by introducing Scott Malone for McDermott but anyone hoping for similar heroics to those of a week ago were to be left disappointed as the substitute had little impact on the game.

The Orient defence were dealing admirably with everything thrown at them and when the ball did make it past Cuthbert and Leacock, Butcher was on had to keep out both Pugh and Zubar as the home side searched for another equaliser.

The only way to beat them was by keeping the ball on the ground and using the pace of the wingers, and with this in mind Bradbury took off Pugh and gave Fletcher a run out. This lead to further long ball play which again played into the hands of Orient and Cuthbert in particular who has always had the upper hand in battles with the Cherries veteran. The substitution made Bournemouth a man light in midfield meaning Spring and his team mates were able to simply mop up the lose ball as Cuthbert beat Fletcher in the air time after time.

The match then petered out much to the delight of the visitors whose celebrations at the end showed how much the win meant to them.

Full Time: AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Leyton Orient

Overall:

This was a game of many positives and negatives. Positives are that in the first half I genuinely believe we played very well. We looked to be gelling as a team and passed the ball around the pitch creating chances delightfully. We deserved to be leading at half time but when we were not one hoped that we could continue that form after the break. That did not happen. Orient frustrated us and made the game scrappy, a better side would have stayed patient and stuck to their passing football but we panicked and began lumping balls forward in desperation. Orient's game plan worked a treat, hence their managers' sheer delight at the final whistle, and fair play to them. The introduction of Fletcher was pointless and those who as always texted into Solent after the game to say he should have been brought on earlier need their eyes testing. Flahavan will be disappointed with the first goal but could do nothing about the second. Daniels was quiet and Francis got forward well. Cook was oddly off colour but Zubar was a stand-out performer for me. McDermott had a great first half but was poor in the second and Pugh was a bit better than of recent times but I'd still like to see Bradbury try McDermott and Malone on the wings at Rochdale. MacDonald and Arter linked up well first half but were too often bypassed by the long balls in the second. Tubbs looks to be a sniffer and will score a number of goals between now at the end of the season and Thomas worked his socks off as always.

All in all the referee's decisions did have a huge affect on the game but in the second half we simply were not good enough. I do not agree that the playoffs are out of reach because we all know that games in hand do not necessarily mean guaranteed points. Lets go to Rochdale in numbers and push the side towards a crucial win, and for christ sake lets make some noise. UTCIAD