ON THIS DAY: Shaun Maher apologises for red card as AFC Bournemouth are mauled by Tigers

DEFENDER Shaun Maher apologised to boss Sean O’Driscoll and his team-mates after collecting the first red card of his Cherries career. Maher was sent off after clashing with Hull City striker Craig Fagan during Cherries’ 4-0 defeat by the Tigers at Dean Court.

Maher told the Echo: “It was a stupid thing to do. I have let the team down and I have apologised, but, unfortunately, I can’t turn the clock back."

A Stuart Elliott brace and goals from Ryan France and Damien Delaney condemned Cherries to their heaviest defeat of the season.

The result left Cherries sixth in League One.

Cherries: Moss; Young, Mills, Maher, Green (Connell, 80); Elliott, Spicer (Stock, 80), Browning, O'Connor, Hayter; Fletcher (Rodrigues, 80).

Unused subs: Coutts, Stewart (g/k).

Hull: Myhill; Stockdale, Cort, Delaney, Edge (Hessenthaler, 79); France, Ashbee, Lewis, S Elliott; Barmby (Price, 75), Fagan (Walters, 67).

Unused subs: Ellison, Duke (g/k).

Booked: Edge.

Attendance: 8,895.