Cherries left with the pip
PRESTON Johnson 70
BOURNEMOUTH
Danjuma 37
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JONATHAN WOODGATE’S promotion-chasing
Cherries were picked off by a Preston side who had looked set for their 10th home defeat of the season.
The first half had been a sea of red and black moving towards Daniel Iversen’s goal with Alex Neil’s side in danger of being swamped.
Bournemouth boss Woodgate, who has seen his side drop out of the top six, said: “We are really frustrated. I felt the first-half performance was terrific. We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up at half-time. We should have put the game to bed. The biggest surprise was that the home side had held out until the 37th minute with Iversen a formidable one-man barrier cranking up the frustration on the Bournemouth bench. He had saved brilliantly from Lloyd Kelly who was set up for a close-range finish from Jefferson
Lerma who was himself a victim of the Danish Under 21 international’s agility.
Lewis Cook, often the springboard of a succession of Cherries attacks, had his effort blocked while Arnaut Danjuma was foiled by another smart stop.
But it was the Dutch international who made the breakthrough much to the relief of Woodgate and his coaching staff.
Dominic Solanke outmuscled Preston defender Jordan Storey and unselfishly found Danjuma to side-foot Bournemouth ahead.
But Preston came out of the break imbued with more energy and menace following no doubt a sharp blast from Neil, while Bournemouth appeared to take their foot off the gas.
And it was a glaring error from skipper Steve Cook which handed Preston a lifeline.
His attempted clearance on the turn fell into the path of Daniel Johnson who curled a low shot past Asmir
Begovic. Woodgate said: “Steve Cook has been top drawer for me. If you make a mistake you get punished for it. He will bounce back from it. He’s been fantastic for the games I’ve been here.”
Preston could even have snatched all three points with Ben Whiteman forcing Begovic to tip over a fierce drive as Bournemouth were forced onto the back foot.
North End boss Neil said: “I felt we were the better side second half. We had been too deep in the first. We got a good reaction.”