BLACKBURN boss Gary Bowyer accused Adam Smith of taking a dive to win a penalty during Cherries’ 3-2 defeat at Ewood Park on Saturday.

However, Cherries manager Eddie Howe strenuously refuted Bowyer’s claim when he insisted Smith was “not that kind of player”.

The incident occurred when Smith went to ground under a challenge from Rovers’ on-loan defender Alex Baptiste nine minutes from time and with Cherries trailing 3-0.

Referee Geoff Eltringham had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before substitute Brett Pitman fired home the penalty to throw Cherries a lifeline.

Bowyer said: “They pushed us all the way but they had a helping hand, massively, by yet another penalty which was not a penalty. The lad clearly dived, there was no contact at all and he gave a penalty.

“We kept them at bay and we didn’t let them back into the game. The referee’s decision, which was wrong, let them back into the game.

“It was a fantastic win for us. They are a very good team with a very good manager and a very good way of playing. They will be up there.”

Baptiste, on loan to Rovers from Bolton, added: “I didn’t touch the lad and it said something that their players were laughing at the decision.”

Cherries boss Howe, asked by the Daily Echo for his opinion of the incident at his post-match press conference, said: “One thing I am not going to do is criticise my player before I have seen the incident again. I need to see it before making an assessment.

“Adam Smith is not that kind of player. I thought he was on the wrong end of a decision in the first half when the referee thought he had gone down too easily.

“For me, it was a 50-50 call. It didn’t look a blatant penalty but I have seen them given so let me have a look at it again.”