GOALS either side of half-time from strikers David Nugent and Jamie Vardy condemned Cherries to a 2-1 defeat by Championship high-fliers Leicester today.

Nugent opened the scoring with a finely-taken strike after 18 minutes and Vardy added a second after capitalising on hesitation from Cherries goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

Although Marc Pugh laid claim to netting the goal of the game after 38 minutes, Cherries were unable to fashion an equaliser and repeat their heroics from Nottingham Forest.

And to compound their woes, defender Elliott Ward was sent off after picking up two bookings and will miss the visit of Bolton next week.

Allsop, Charlie Daniels and Ryan Fraser all returned to the starting line-up as boss Eddie Howe made three changes following Cherries’ 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Allsop replaced the stricken Stephen Henderson, while Daniels and Fraser came in for Ian Harte and Andrew Surman who were both named on the bench.

Goalkeeper Allsop smothered at his near post after Lloyd Dyer had galloped into the box before Wes Morgan’s header was cleared following an Anthony Knockaert free-kick.

Morgan then climbed to meet Knockaert’s ninth-minute corner, the defender’s heading striking team-mate Vardy who stopped it finding a way into the back of the net.

Lewis Grabban’s speculative 20-yarder was deflected behind by Marcin Wasileswki before the Foxes opened the scoring through Nugent after 18 minutes.

The former Pompey striker, fed by Dyer, picked his spot and curled a right-foot shot inside Allsop’s left-hand post from just inside the 18-yard box.

Ward, booked earlier for a foul on Vardy, was fortunate to escape a second yellow card when he kicked the ball away after conceding a needless throw.

Although Cherries had their share of possession during the first half, their equaliser, a stunning strike from Pugh, came almost out of nothing seven minutes before the interval.

The winger collected a crossfield pass from Tokelo Rantie, letting fly from the edge of the box with a sumptuous right-foot shot which beat Kasper Schmeichel all ends up and flew into the top corner.

Leicester appealed in vain for a penalty after striker Vardy had gone to ground under Ward’s challenge eight minutes into the second half.

Morgan blocked Grabban’s low drive as Cherries threatened on the break before Allsop saved smartly from Knockaert’s rasping effort.

Vardy restored Leicester’s lead midway through the second half when he capitalised on Allsop’s hesitation before rounding the goalkeeper and firing home.

Cherries were reduced to 10 men when Ward, reprieved in the first half, was shown a second yellow card for a trip on Danny Drinkwater after 66 minutes.

Allsop spread himself at his near post to save from Knockaert before Rantie fired wide from a tight angle after trading passes with Wes Thomas.

Cherries: Allsop, Francis, Ward, Cook, Daniels (Thomas, 80), Fraser (Pitman, 57), Arter, Collison, Pugh, Grabban (Elphick, 68), Rantie.

Unused subs: Surman, Harte, O’Kane, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Ward, Daniels.

Sent off: Ward.

Foxes: Schmeichel, Moore, Morgan, Wasilewski, Konchesky, Knockaert, King (Hammond, 87), Drinkwater, Dyer, Vardy (Schlupp, 86), Nugent (Wood, 52).

Unused subs: James, Taylor-Fletcher, Miquel, Logan (g/k).

Booked: Vardy.

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Attendance: 23,357.