BOSS Eddie Howe praised referee James Linington for his handling of Cherries’ clash with Charlton and said he had no complaints with the decision to spare Johnnie Jackson a second yellow card.

Linington, who had already booked the Addicks midfielder for a foul on Marc Pugh, appeared to reach for his card after Jackson had clashed with Harry Arter in the first half.

However, the Isle of Wight-based official opted against brandishing a second yellow, which would have led to a red, although Jackson was subsequently taken off by Charlton boss Bob Peeters at half-time.

Howe said: “I thought the referee was lenient but I thought he managed the game very well and I am not just saying that because we got a positive result.

“You could easily have seen him produce a red card. We moaned at Bolton when Yann Kermorgant got one which we didn’t feel was justified and I don’t think you can have it both ways.

"He wanted to see 11 versus 11 remain on the pitch and I don’t think you could argue too much with it.”

Arter, who is walking a disciplinary tightrope on four bookings for the season, also escaped punishment following a slightly mistimed tackle in the second half.

Howe added: “I don’t think I will lose any sleep over that, it is part of the game. We would love to see Harry stay on four bookings for the foreseeable future but the likelihood is, football being football, he will pick up a booking somewhere with how he plays.

“I have always said I will come down on him if he gets bookings for dissent. If he gets bookings for honest tackles or things that are affecting the game then that is no problem with me.”