CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe says he has been encouraged following “positive dialogue” with Football League referees' chief David Allison.

Howe wrote to Allison to seek his observations on a series of contentious decisions during four of Cherries' past five games in the Championship.

Cherries felt they had been denied two penalties during the 3-1 defeat by Leeds last month and were also aggrieved defender Gabriel Tamas had escaped a red card for hauling down Callum Wilson in the 1-1 draw at Watford.

Lee Camp's controversial sending off in the 2-0 defeat at Derby was another bone of contention, as was referee Andre Marriner's failure to award Cherries a spot kick after Wilson had been fouled inside the penalty area during Saturday's 2-1 win at Bolton.

Referees' chief Allison has asked all Football League managers to contact him directly to express their reservations about decisions rather than run the risk of getting themselves in hot water by airing their grievances publicly.

When contacted by the Daily Echo, Allison said he had had “a very productive, helpful and positive conversation” with Howe. And while he politely declined to discuss specific incidents, he agreed all five decisions could have been dealt with differently.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I am very much in favour of this review process and respect David Allison for giving me his feedback. As managers and coaches, we analyse players' performances in an attempt to help them improve so why shouldn't it be the same for referees.

“I know nothing can be done to overturn the decisions but if this process highlights them and makes referees more aware then it can only benefit the game. I know we won't always agree with their decisions and I acknowledge they have a very difficult job.

“We felt these examples were pretty clear-cut which is why I wrote to David asking him to review them. We are currently on a run where we are getting hurt with the big decisions in games, but David took on board my concerns and that is all you can ask.”

Meanwhile, Howe also believes the Football Association should consider a review of its disciplinary procedures with regard to red cards for serious foul play.

Striker Yann Kermorgant was a victim of the sanction - which carries an automatic three-match ban - after being sent off at Bolton for a high challenge on midfielder Mark Davies.

Howe said: “As I said at the time, there was no intent from Yann to hurt anybody.

“In my opinion, it is a grey area. A player lashing out or head-butting someone would get the same punishment for violent conduct and you can't even begin to compare that with what Yann was sent off for.

"I think the punishment should always fit the crime and the suspension for serious foul play should be determined by the severity of the challenge.”