MANAGER Eddie Howe felt Cherries had conceded “too many needless free kicks” during their 1-0 defeat by Charlton at The Valley last night.

Cherries were undone when Dorian Dervite headed home Johnnie Jackson’s injury-time corner to claim the points for the struggling Addicks.

Howe said: “I thought we were very good early in the game, totally dominant, and then tailed off. We passed and moved the ball really well and had them on the ropes early on. But we didn’t score when we were on top and Charlton rolled up their sleeves, dug in and made it a real battle.

“The second half was scrappy and we gave away far too many needless free kicks. We put ourselves under pressure and, eventually, conceded from one of those set-pieces. It was a good ball in and a good header. We defended very well but not for that one final corner.”

Howe added: “As we hadn’t scored, our decision-making on the ball became a bit desperate and we gave it away too often. When you turn over the ball like we did at times, naturally, you are going to put yourselves under pressure and the less you have the ball, the less control you feel you have so our problems stemmed from that area.

“I thought we defended okay, that wasn’t really our problem. We didn’t really look like scoring and that was a concern.

“We have a tough run and these games away from home against teams at the bottom are very difficult and we don’t underestimate anybody. We knew how difficult tonight was going to be and we know how difficult Saturday is going to be and we still have a lot to play for ourselves. We need points and so we need a reaction at Barnsley. There are a lot of games to go. We are in a decent position but still need more points.”