STEADFAST boss Eddie Howe insists Cherries will arrest their recent slump – provided they maintain Saturday’s performance levels.

Howe was left crestfallen as Cherries were held to a 1-1 draw at Watford with Harry Arter’s thunderbolt cancelled out by Craig Cathcart’s perfectly-executed volley seven minutes from time.

The result extended to six matches Cherries’ winless run in the Championship but Howe – who also saw Ian Harte miss a fourth-minute penalty – was adamant his side had deserved more from their resolute display at Vicarage Road.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It was another game we were bitterly disappointed not to have taken three points from and it has been the story of our short season so far.

“We feel we deserve a lot more but the challenge for us is to keep going, to keep our heads and if we continue to produce performances like that (Watford) we will get a lot more points.

“The finish (for Watford’s goal) was right out of the top drawer. It left our goalkeeper with no chance and that has been the pattern for us lately.

“We’re not conceding many chances but any that do come round usually get taken by the opposition and that’s tough to take when you’re going through this type of spell.

“We got into some great positions ourselves and with more clinical actions round the box we would probably have won the game comfortably.

“From our perspective, we had passed the ball so well to get the lead but went away from that slightly in trying to protect it and that was the only disappointment for us.

“Had we handled that situation differently and kept passing the ball I think we would have had a lot more success. When you miss a penalty, take the lead and produce such a good defensive display, not winning is difficult to take.”

Howe continued: “You wouldn’t expect Ian Harte to miss the target so it was a difficult one and a challenge for us mentally but I didn’t think it affected out performance in any way.

“We dusted ourselves down and got on with it and Callum (Wilson) gave them problems in behind all day. I can’t be too disappointed with the players.

“It was a great away performance. When you plan a game, that’s how you want it to go.”

Meanwhile, Howe admitted last season’s 6-1 mauling by the Hornets had stayed fresh in his mind but felt his side’s showing on Saturday was a positive sign of things to come.

He added: “Hopefully, we showed the Watford fans that we have developed since that day and become a much better side.

"Although our results don’t reflect that at the moment, I’m sure we will be fine in the long term.”

Meanwhile, Howe said Dan Gosling had missed the Watford match with an ankle injury and hoped to have the midfielder back in a week.