PLAYMAKER Ryan Christie admitted Cherries were “a little bit disappointed” not to come away from Newcastle with all three points ahead of the international break.

Gary O’Neil’s side took the lead just past the hour Mark at St James’ Park when Jordan Zemura’s cross was steered in by Philip Billing.

But Eddie Howe’s Magpies got their leveller five minutes later. Alexander Isak’s penalty beat Cherries keeper Neto after Jefferson Lerma was judged to have handled in the box.

Reflecting after the 1-1 draw, Scotland international Christie told the Daily Echo: “It was a bit of a strange one because I think you come here, you’d probably be happy with a point before the game.

“But if anything, we are a little bit disappointed we didn’t get a win.

“I thought we executed the game plan down to a tee. We created chances of our own on the counter-attack and limited them to very few.

“We knew they were going to be a threat on set-pieces. That was probably where their biggest chances came from.

“Apart from that, in open play we kept them to very little. We are just a bit frustrated with the penalty decision.”

Referee Craig Pawson eventually reversed his decision not to give a penalty against Lerma in real time, after Kieran Trippier’s cross was blocked by the Colombian.

Pawson was advised to consult the pitchside monitor by VAR Stuart Attwell ahead of pointing to the spot.

“Listen. Probably everyone will say the same as me,” said Christie, when asked about the decision.

“I thought the rule was if it’s clear and obvious, that’s when you send him over (to the pitchside monitor).

“I don’t think that’s clear and obvious – that’s 50-50 right down the middle.

“In that case I think it’s very harsh. A similar one to Forest against Lloydy (Lloyd Kelly). That one went against us and Saturday went against us – it’s pretty frustrating.”

Christie is now set for international fixtures with Scotland against Ukraine and Ireland over the international break.