Former Charlton striker Kevin Lisbie marks comeback with a goal in Leyton Orient's win over Bournemouth
4:46pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Latest Sport By Simon Mail
Kevin Lisbie netted on his return from injury in Leyton Orient's excellent 3-1 home win over promotion challengers Bournemouth this afternoon.
Former MK Dons striker Charlie MacDonald tapped in the opener in the first half before tucking away his second after the restart which put Russell Slade's side in control.
Brett Pitman came off the bench and hit a sublime volley to give Bournemouth hope. But Lisbie was only on the pitch for nine minutes as a substitute when he celebrated his comeback with a clinical finish to seal the win.
The O's made two changes from the side which drew at Sheffield United on Tuesday. MacDonald and David Mooney returned in attack with Shaun Batt missing out due to a toe injury and Jimmy Smith on the bench.
Orient brought striker Lisbie back on to the bench after he missed the last two months with a hamstring injury.
The hosts had their first sight at goal after ten minutes when Lloyd James' cross was flicked on by Dean Cox but he could not direct his effort on target.
Orient took the lead after 26 minutes of the contest. Mathieu Baudry played a ball over the top which Mooney did well to pick up. The striker squared the ball and MacDonald made no mistake as he tucked the ball home from close range.
The goal gave the hosts a huge lift and they nearly added a quick second when defender Scott Cuthbert's powerful strike flew just wide of the target.
Bournemouth almost grabbed an equaliser after 37 minutes when Dan Seabourne headed against the crossbar from Marc Pugh's cross.
Orient had another chance late on in the first half when Mooney set up Romain Vincelot but the French midfielder lashed his shot over the bar.
The O's got off to a dream start to the second period when a long ball from Baudry released MacDonald and the striker calmly tucked the ball past Shwan Jalal into the net.
Bournemouth badly needed a response and they almost got one from substitute Pitman's header but it was pushed round the post by Jamie Jones.
The Cherries grabbed a lifeline in the 66th minute when Pitman's stunning volley flew past Jones to pull the visitors within one goal of Orient.
A huge ovation was given to Lisbie after the former Charlton forward made his comeback from injury in place of Mooney.
The O's killed off the contest when Moses Odubajo fed the ball back for Lisbie and the returning hero drilled the ball into the corner of the net to the delight of the home fans.
Orient comfortably saw out the rest of the game from a hugely positive result and performance which suggested the O's can have a strong finish to the season.
Leyton Orient: Jones; McSweeney, Baudry, Clarke, Cuthbert; Cox, Vincelot, James (Smith, 78), Odubajo; Mooney (Lisbie, 70), MacDonald (Obafemi, 90)
Subs not used: Griffith, Rowlands, Omozusi, Grainger
Bournemouth: Jalal; Francis, Cook, Seabourne; Ritchie, Pugh (Fraser, 85), Fogden (Pitman, 55), Hughes, O'Kane, McQuoid; Grabban (Tubbs, 74)
Subs not used: Allsop, Partington, MacDonald, Fletcher
Referee: James Linington
Attendance: 5,136
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