BOSS Eddie Howe felt “a really strange decision” had robbed Cherries of a potentially-priceless victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Cardiff tonight.

Howe questioned why Premier League referee Lee Mason had decided to disallow a second-half strike from Callum Wilson.

The official ruled out Wilson’s effort after he had tapped the ball into an empty net having been struck on the back by an attempted drop kick from Cardiff goalkeeper Simon Moore.

Click here to see a photographic gallery from Cherries' 1-1 draw with Cardiff

Although Wilson stood in front of the stopper, he remained motionless as Moore kicked the ball against him before it looped up and hit the crossbar.

And after reacting quickly, Wilson rolled the ball home, only for the effort to be chalked off and the Cherries man issued a yellow card.

Asked whether he knew why the goal had been ruled out, Howe replied: “You are probably asking the wrong man, you will probably have to ask the referee on that one. I didn’t think he had a particularly good game and I think that is an understatement.”

And when told Mason was a Premier League official, Howe replied: “I’m told that, yes.”

He added: “Callum was looking the other way. He didn’t move, he stood his ground and is perfectly allowed to do that. The goalkeeper kicked it at his back. It was a really strange decision and, ultimately, it cost us two points.”

Howe was also unhappy Mason had failed to award Cherries two penalties – one after Wilson had been sent sprawling by Cardiff goalscorer Bruno Ecuele Manga and a second for a push on Adam Smith.

He said: “We felt they were both clear penalties so you can see why we are slightly aggrieved.”

Asked whether he had had any feedback from the official, Howe replied: “I think I’d better leave it there, otherwise I could get myself in trouble. It is probably best I say nothing else.”

Harry Arter’s stunning first-half strike gave Cherries the lead before they were pegged back by Manga’s thumping header, from a Peter Whittingham corner, after the break.

Howe said: “I thought it was a good game with a good tempo to it. I thought we were excellent and deserved to win. We played very good football and dominated the ball.

“We knew Cardiff’s threats and strengths and, ultimately, they scored a goal from that. The only disappointment was with how we defended set-plays and, apart from that, I thought we were terrific.

“It was a frustrating dressing room because we were delighted with most aspects of our play. We passed the ball under pressure and although Cardiff tried to get after us, we were very good with the ball, we created numerous opportunities but probably weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.

“I was very pleased with how we chased a winner at the end. It is very easy to go a little ragged when you are chasing a goal but I didn’t think we did.

“We started very well and scored but I didn’t think we finished the first half particularly strongly in terms of chances. We were much more of a threat in the second half and looked like we were going to get the goal we needed.”