CHERRIES’ defensive gameplan came undone as an Adam Smith own goal gave Newcastle United a 1-0 win, sending Eddie Howe’s team into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Smith turned the ball into his own net as he marked former teammate Callum Wilson underneath a looping Kieran Trippier cross.

Both sides named strong teams to mark a return to competitive action following a six-week break.

Chris Mepham returned to the heart of the defence at the expense of Jack Stephens following a suspension and a trip to the World Cup.

Midfielders Jefferson Lerma and Marcus Tavernier were the other two changes from the side that defeated Everton 3-0 in November, with Ryan Christie and Jaidon Anthony handed starting berths. 

There was just one change for Magpies, former Cherries striker Wilson replacing Chris Wood up top. 

The opening exchanges were stop-start thanks to the constant blowing of John Brooks’ whistle for fouls from both sides.

England international Trippier tried to catch Mark Travers out at a set-piece, the right-back fizzing an effort inches over the top with everyone in the ground expecting a cross into the box filled with awaiting players.

Kieffer Moore was unable to fashion himself on to a tempting Smith cross that hanged in the air, but the towering striker fashioned a chance for Christie shortly after, his nod down unable to properly set the Scot up.

Fabian Schar produced the game’s closest effort, his swerving drive from outside the box narrowly flying past the far post.

St James’ erupted when Wilson seemingly put the hosts ahead on 26 minutes. Some perseverance from the striker saw him barge through, scrapping for the ball, before sending an effort into the far corner.

However, an eventual flag from the linesman saw the goal chalked off for offside, the ball deemed to have bounced off a teammate before falling to Wilson.

Cherries survived yet another scare when Miguel Almiron scuffed an effort from close range, Marcos Senesi clearing off the line to maintain a blank scoreline at the break.

The second period followed the same pattern of the opening 45 minutes, Newcastle probing a well drilled Cherries team looking to hit the hosts on the break.

Eventually the home side managed to unlock their guests, Trippier’s cross to the back post causing Cherries too many issues.

In the chaos of the hanging ball, Smith accidentally steered it beyond Travers, giving Newcastle what proved to be the winner.

In attempt to salvage something from the game, Gary O’Neil swapped defender Senesi for Jamal Lowe.

It seemed there would be another own goal when a shot ricocheted off Mepham. Remarkably, Travers managed to halt his momentum enough to get an outstretched hand on to the ball, pushing it on to the post.

Despite the attacking change, Cherries were unable to properly muster a response, the final score line remaining 1-0 as the Magpies advanced to the last eight.

Cherries: Travers, Smith, Mepham, Senesi (Lowe, 85), Zemura, Cook, Billing, Christie (Stacey, 63), Anthony (Dembele, 77), Moore, Solanke

Unused subs: Plain (g/k), Marcondes, Hill, Greenwood, Sadi, Adu-Adjei

Booked: Cook

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Joelinton, Longstaff, Guimaraes (Shelvey, 88), Almiron (Murphy, 76), Willock (Saint-Maximin, 57) Wilson (Wood, 76)

Unused subs: Darlow (g/k), Lascalles, Shelvey, Ritchie, Targett, Manquillo

Booked:

Referee: John Brooks