Defender Stephen Purches scored his first goal of the season as Bournemouth condemned promotion-chasing Rushden to their second defeat in three league games.

Full-back Purches put Bournemouth ahead with a 35-yard wonder goal before further strikes from defender Shaun Maher and striker Alan Connell helped the Cherries secure their first home win of the campaign.

Purches opened the scoring midway through the first half, receiving the ball just inside the Rushden half before drilling an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Billy Turley.

Rushden defender John Dempster bundled in the first goal of his professional career to haul Diamonds level nine minutes later.

But the visitors' joy was short-lived as defender Maher headed home his second goal of the season from Danny Thomas' corner to restore Bournemouth's advantage 13 minutes into the second half.

Teenager Connell made the points safe five minutes from time as he converted Marcus Browning's cross from the right.

Bournemouth: Moss, Young, Tindall, Maher, Purches, Elliott, Carl Fletcher, Browning, Thomas, Connell, Holmes. Subs: O'Connor, Eribenne, Hayter, Stock, Narada.

Rushden & D'monds: Turley, Mustafa, Peters, Dempster, Underwood, Hall, Mills, Wardley, Gray, Darby, Lowe. Subs: Hunter, Partridge, Burgess, Sollitt, Talbot.

Referee: P Rejer (Worcestershire).