Eddie Howe has claimed that his side struggled to keep the momentum after taking an early lead in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Andrew Surman broke the deadlock in just the third minute for the Cherries, but Forest hit back impressively to condemn the promotion hopefuls to a second successive defeat, and Howe was disappointed with his side's decision making.

"With the way we started the game, I am baffled as to how we lost," the Bournemouth boss told reporters. "We came out of the traps very quickly, played some great football, scored a really good goal and I thought it was going to be a good night for us.

"Unfortunately we slightly lost our momentum and conceded a poor goal from a set-piece and then of course the free kick right on half time - that was a difficult one to take.

"I was very pleased with the opening period and for long spells we were good. However, our decision making towards the end was poor and we became desperate at the end."

Bournemouth are four points outside the automatic playoff spots in fourth.