CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe admitted he had been “devastated” to come away with nothing after his side took Manchester City to the limit.

Howe’s men produced a spirited performance at Etihad Stadium but fell to a 2-1 defeat, despite a late David Brooks goal in a rousing finale.

The result left the Dorset club 18th in the Premier League, three points off safety and having played a game more than West Ham and Watford above them.

Howe said: “It is not about performance at this stage of the season because we want results but I can’t fault the lads.

“We were in it right to the end. The lads gave it everything right to the last kick.

“We certainly looked a real threat in front of goal, there was a lot of quality in our performance.

“We played at the right times and mixed it up well. I’m just absolutely devastated to come away with nothing after putting so much into the game.”

After five seasons in the top flight, Howe’s side now need a dramatic change in fortunes to survive.

They host Southampton at the weekend before travelling to Everton for their final match of the campaign.

Howe said: “We have to look for two wins. We can’t prepare any other way.

“We go next game, Southampton, and try to win it. We’ll be looking to match and better the performance we gave here.”

Bournemouth went close when Junior Stanislas had a free-kick pushed onto the post and Joshua King had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside before Brooks gave them late hope in the 88th minute.

Yet City struck when it really mattered with David Silva’s sixth-minute free-kick and a fine strike from Gabriel Jesus six minutes before half-time proving decisive.