ANDONI Iraola admitted it was “tough to accept” leaving the Amex Stadium with no points to show for their efforts.

Cherries impressed in the first half and looked like they may shock the in-form Brighton & Hove Albion.

Dominic Solanke put Cherries ahead, only for the visitors to see that lead disappear with two poor goals, either side of half-time.

Milos Kerkez headed past Neto for an own goal, before Kaoru Mitoma netted just 15 seconds into the second half.

Mitoma then added another as Brighton ran out 3-1 winners.

“I think it was a tough one to accept, this game,” boss Iraola told the Daily Echo.

“Especially the way we played in the first half. To end the half at 1-1 with the goal we conceded just before half-time was difficult, because I think we were in control of the game.

“After the first play of the second half we were losing a game that we think we were playing well.

“From there we tried, we had chances.

“But it was much more difficult, because they were not under pressure and they could play with the result.”

Cherries have a midweek Carabao Cup game against Stoke City, before welcoming Arsenal to Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.