Tokelo Rantie had to watch from the bench for the most part as his AFC Bournemouth side lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in an English Championship match at the City Ground on Wednesday night.
The South African striker spent the night on the bench until he entered the fray in the 77th minute, in what was his first appearance for his club after the Africa Cup of Nations, but there was nothing he could do to reverse the result as Bournemouth suffered their eighth loss of the league season.
Bournemouth started well, though, after opening the scoring in the third minute courtesy of a strike from South African-born Andrew Surman.
Jamal Lascelles equalised for Nottingham in the 21st minute before Henri Lansbury doubled the home side’s lead a minute before the break, 2-1.
Bournemouth dominated the second half, but could not find the back of the net.
The loss for Bournemouth sees them drop to fourth on the league table with 59 points, a point behind third placed Ipswich Town while Nottingham moved up to ninth place with 47 points.
