MIDFIELDER Andrew Surman admitted that missed chances had come back to haunt Cherries after they lost 1-0 at Derby.

Matt Ritchie rattled the post and Tokelo Rantie and Lewis Grabban also had opportunities to open the scoring in the first half, before Chris Martin’s stunning free kick won it late on for the Rams.

And like all of his teammates, Surman was left deflated after the hosts had snatched all three points.

He told the Daily Echo: “It was a massive frustration to lose when we had gone that far against one of the teams that’s looking to get promoted, it’s really gutting.

“All the game we matched them and in the first half we created more chances.

“In the first half I thought we controlled the game and were dangerous on the counter-attack.

“It’s just about getting that finishing touch now and being a little bit more clinical in front of goal.

“As a team I think we defended really well and that we deserved more out of the game. We are disappointed that one, we didn’t take our chances and two, that we got hit by a sucker-punch that was a great goal but that probably shouldn’t have been a free kick.”

The absence of Eunan O’Kane due to a pelvis problem meant that Cherries boss Eddie Howe opted to restore Surman to the starting line-up after the 27-year-old Norwich loanee was left on the bench against Burnley.

And while the visiting side were ultimately subjected to defeat, Surman felt that his partnership with Harry Arter in central midfield was a positive to take forward.

He said: “I was pleased as me and H had a good relationship in there. He’s great to play with as he’s got that bit of bite and wins a huge amount of tackles.

“We played pretty well in the first half, although the second half was a little bit more difficult as they brought on a few more attacking players.

“Losing (O’Kane) meant we had to change the formation a little bit, but it’s a good sign for the club that when key players are missing, other players can come in and do a job. It’s good to have that strength in depth.”