CHERRIES were held to an eventful 1-1 draw at Cardiff City tonight. Here we run through the decisive aspects. 

HAVING A TOP FLIGHT REF DOES NOT GUARANTEE A TOP PERFORMANCE

If Lee Mason wants a Christmas card from Cherries this year, he had better gift wrap an extra two points and courier them to Dean Court pretty quickly.

Whether he just went for the safe decisions or became swayed by the crowd, Mason had an absolute stinker.

Callum Wilson was sent sprawling in box during the first half and was denied a legitimate goal, albeit in bizarre circumstances, in the second.

Eddie Howe also bemoaned a late penalty shout for a foul on Adam Smith.

Mr Mason may have been around for some years but could learn a lot from watching back this error-strewn performance.

ARTER HAS LEARNED TO CHANNEL HIS AGGRESSION

If that goal was a product of his frustration at missing Saturday’s game, maybe Harry Arter should sit it out more often.

On the front foot, no quarter given, yet controlled. Everything he did in the first half packed a punch and proved just how important his drive is to Cherries.

BACK-HANDED COMPLIMENTS FROM THE HOSTS

Whether they intended to or not, Cardiff City supporters paid Cherries the ultimate compliment tonight.

First, they sang ‘Where were you when you were *expletive for not very good*’ at the away end and incessantly begged Mason for the full-time whistle towards the end.

A club that plied its trade in the Premier League last season celebrated their draw against Cherries with gusto. Who'd have thought it?

Indeed, Cherries oozed confidence and deserved more than a single point.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

There is only one choice... THAT thunderbolt from Harry Arter.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

There is only one choice... THOSE decisions from Mr Mason.