AFC Bournemouth have apologised to hundreds of fans who missed much of the EFL Cup clash with Preston North End due to ticketing issues.

Many supporters attempted to purchase tickets for the match on the night, sparking long queues alongside those who had pre-bought and were attempting to collect their tickets at the same time.

“Overall, it’s difficult for me to sit here and find positives after the supporters have watched that like I have." Eddie Howe apologises to supporters after defeat to Preston

Scores of fans were left queuing outside Vitality Stadium while the match continued and many took to social media to vent their frustrations at the "chaos".

Sam Davis tweeted: "Kids trudging away from DC with their Dads in tears. Their first #afcb game they could get tickets too. Not upset for me, upset for the rest."

Amy Etherton added on Twitter midway through the first half: "My daughter was so excited to go to the match, but only got in the ground 10 minutes ago. Pretty poor effort from a PL club."

Long-standing supporter Gayle Hope said: "It's embarrassing. Premier League club on the pitch, Wessex League off it."

Many supporters stuck in the queues eventually gave up and went home.

In a statement issued to the Daily Echo tonight, the club promised to review "the process for future games".

It added: "AFC Bournemouth would like to apologise to those supporters who experienced delays in either purchasing or collecting pre-paid match tickets in the run-up to tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Preston North End.

"In the days leading up to the game the club made every effort to both advise supporters to pre-purchase and collect their tickets as far in advance of the match as possible and to arrive early to avoid queues.

"Ahead of kick off there were a high number of people purchasing tickets for the first time and these transactions took longer to process which in turn had a knock-on effect on queuing times.

"The club will review the process for future games when general sale is reached. AFC Bournemouth very much appreciates supporters’ patience on this matter."