Howe 'amazed' penalty was not given

Cape Town - Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe felt his side were denied a "stonewall penalty" in the 1-1 draw with south-coast rivals Southampton at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Referee Jon Moss booked Adam Smith for simulation midway through the first half when he went to ground under a clumsy sliding challenge from Saints' winger Sofiane Boufal inside the 18-yard box.

The Cherries went on the open the scoring through Ryan Fraser three minutes before half-time, but the visitors hit back in the second half with Charlie Austin's 61st-minute equaliser earning a share of the derby spoils.

Howe criticised the decision from the match official, which sees Smith miss the trip to Crystal Palace next weekend due to suspension following an accumulation of five yellow cards this season.

"For me it's a stonewall penalty," the 40-year-old said after the game. "I think anywhere else on the pitch it's a free-kick. I think the referee has probably tried to be a bit clever with it.

"As soon as Adam Smith got his toe to the ball before the defender I knew he was in trouble and that Adam was going to go over the leg because he had nowhere to go.

"I'm amazed it wasn't given and it's had a knock-on effect for us because now Adam Smith is suspended for the next game. I think it's a really poor decision."

Commenting on the performance, Howe added: "I thought it was a very competitive game, quite even. A lot of chances at both ends. That's the pleasing things for us today, we really did work their goalkeeper.

"I thought, in general, our performance was totally different to Wednesday night. It was disappointing once we'd taken the lead not to win, but we have to acknowledge that Southampton did do very well at times second half.

"When you've defended so well for long periods of the game, to concede a scrappy goal... I didn't think we cleared the cross particularity well and then we get caught on the ball outside our box. You're going to pay for that with Charlie Austin against you."