LEE Bradbury suffered his heaviest defeat as a manager as Cherries were soundly beaten by League One rivals Charlton today.

Bradbury’s men toiled for long periods in the first half, with a Dale Stephens goal giving the hosts a deserved half-time lead.

And although Cherries fared slightly better after the break, Scott Wagstaff’s stunning volley left them on the back foot as early as the 51st minute.

A forgettable opening-day encounter for the visitors was compounded when Johnnie Jackson confidently despatched a penalty to make it 3-0 after Adam Barrett had tripped Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Cherries boss Bradbury, who has seen a host of players depart over the summer, handed debuts to new signings Darryl Flahavan, Barrett and Steven Gregory, while loan pair Scott Malone and Nathan Byrne also started.

The Addicks included former Cherries duo Danny Hollands, who received a warm welcome from the travelling supporters, and Rhoys Wiggins, who was booed throughout.

Michael Morrison, one of six new arrivals in the Charlton starting line-up, headed over from a Stephens corner as the hosts created the first scoring chance.

A header from Wright-Phillips looped over the crossbar before the same player saw his shot blocked by Flahavan following a mix up in the Cherries defence.

Charlton opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Stephens fired home from just inside the box after Marc Pugh had been culpable in the lead up to the goal.

Cherries were thankful to Flahavan for an acrobatic save from Wiggins, the goalkeeper parrying the defender’s 25-yard drive around the post.

Harry Arter and Danny Ings were both booked as frustrations mounted in the visitors’ ranks, while Mathieu Baudry was fortunate to escape punishment after lashing out at Paul Hayes.

Lyle Taylor replaced Baudry at the interval, although Charlton quickly doubled their lead when Wagstaff’s rasping volley whistled past Flahavan six minutes after the restart.

A glancing header from Ings drifted past the post before Cherries’ claims for a penalty fell on dear ears after Taylor had taken a tumble under a challenge from Addicks goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

Barrett’s block diverted a goalbound drive from Stephens following a quick counter-attack from Charlton before Pugh was denied by Elliot’s lavish save.

Hayes wasted a chance to test Flahavan, although Jackson made no mistake from the spot, the skipper drilling home a penalty to make it 3-0 after Barrett had tripped Wright-Phillips.

Taylor should have at least netted a consolation for Cherries, the striker missing the target with a header after Scott Malone had put the ball on a plate for him.

Cherries: Flahavan, Byrne, Cooper, Barrett, Malone, Baudry (L Taylor, h-t), Feeney, Arter, Gregory (Molesley, 66), Pugh, Ings (Fletcher, 86).

Unused subs: Purches, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Arter, Ings, Taylor.

Addicks: Elliot, Solly, Morrison, M Taylor, Wiggins, Wagstaff (Pritchard, 85), Hollands, Stephens, Jackson, Wright-Phillips (Doherty, 89), Hayes (Benson, 82).

Unused subs: Hughes, Sullivan (g/k).

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northampton).