BOSS Eddie Howe admitted his frustration after Cherries surrendered the advantage during their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

The Dorset club looked to be heading for three points to begin their Premier League campaign at Vitality Stadium thanks to Chris Mepham’s 62nd-minute opener.

But the hosts were denied after Billy Sharp stabbed home two minutes from time after the Blades had worked a free-kick into the box.

Howe said: “I was really frustrated because we didn’t play at our best today. I think we were well aware of that but we had the lead.

“We had fought really hard to get that lead and we just didn’t get over the line. Small details cost us.

“I wouldn’t say we switched off from the free-kick because I think we were alert. We just didn’t make the right decisions with our positioning and we paid the price.

“It’s not the ideal start for us. We’d hoped, of course, to perform better and to win but you have to take what you’re given, take your lessons and learn from it quickly.”