CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe described as “bizarre” referee Scott Mathieson’s game-changing decision to disallow Jamie Ward’s goal and dismiss keeper Lee Camp in tonight’s 2-0 defeat at Derby.

Mathieson bemused everyone at the iPro Stadium midway through the second half when he brought back play after Camp had handled outside the area, despite Ward still managing to find the net.

The decision might have kept Cherries on level terms but left Howe’s charges with the thankless task of playing the final 23 minutes with 10 men.

And having seen his side succumb to late strikes from Will Hughes and Chris Martin, Howe argued everyone would have benefited from letting the goal stand and Camp stay on the pitch – a sentiment later echoed by rival manager Steve McClaren.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “We were quite happy with where we were, we frustrated Derby and made life difficult for a very good side.

“I thought they shaded it in terms of possession but we were comfortable and had some good counter-attacking opportunities in the first half.

“But then with one long ball down the pitch – which is unlike Derby – the game totally changed and from that point onwards it was always going to be difficult for us.

“It was quite bizarre because I thought it was a goal. We were preparing to be 1-0 down and had started to adjust accordingly.

“In hindsight, we would have preferred to be one down with 11 men on the pitch. Usually in that situation the referee waves play on, they get the goal and everything carries on.

“We felt quite hard done-by because from that moment, with the way Derby keep the ball, it was going to be tough to hang on.

“Although we battled manfully, restricted them and frustrated them and the crowd for a period, they eventually got the goal with a great finish.”

When asked for his view on why Camp had been sent off, McClaren added: “I haven’t got a clue and it was not a good decision.

“We would have taken the goal and played 11 against 11. It was a bizarre call and it became a difficult night for us.

“The result was important and the players knew that. They were a little nervous in that respect but were very patient and controlled the game.

“Bournemouth dropped deep and were very compact. They made it very difficult for us.”