Luckless goalkeeper Chris Tardif admitted he was "absolutely gutted" after he was sent off during Cherries FA Cup defeat at Stoke yesterday, writes NEIL PERRETT.

And the 23-year-old Channel Islander felt referee Michael Ryan had "destroyed the whole game" by sending him packing for a professional foul deep into first half stoppage time.

Tardif received a straight red card after he was judged to have tripped Stoke defender Brynjar Gunnarsson inside the six-yard box.

His dismissal swung the pendulum heavily in Stoke's favour and the hosts took the lead from the resultant penalty, which was taken by Chris Iwelumo.

Further goals after the break through Iwelumo and Peter Hoekstra earned the Potters a place in the fifth round, although the scoreline was somewhat flattering.

Tardif said: "I can't dispute the fact that it was a penalty, but I didn't deliberately attempt to take their player out and I didn't think there was any reason for the referee to send me off.

"I went for the ball before his touch pushed it passed me, although I think he was heading wide and I believe Steve Purches was on the line behind me.

"I very much doubt whether I will be appealing because I don't think the referee will change his mind.

"I went to see him after the game to ask him how many matches I will be suspended for but he said he didn't know."

Tardif, who will miss the visit of Swansea on February 11, received a rapturous welcome from Cherries' travelling fans as he took his seat among them five minutes into the second half.

He added: "The supporters were absolutely fantastic. It was great to have them behind me in the first half and they gave us all a big lift.

"To be honest, I was quite embarrassed when I walked up the steps and I didn't really know what to do.

"We were all over Stoke in the first half and we still had a couple of chances after I had gone off.

"We did what we were asked to do and I don't think there was a great deal of difference between the two sides, even though they are two divisions above us."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, who used to manage Bournemouth, revealed his squad had been hit by sickness.

"We have been hit by a virus, it spread through the club and half a dozen were out there under the weather and Sergei Shtaniuk pulled out just before the game.

"We only had 15 fit players and we had to send for one of the kids Richard Keogh, to join the squad and sit on the bench. He had to get a bus to get here."

Pulis added: "We did not play as well as we have been doing and up until the penalty and the red card for their keeper they had done every so well.

"They'd been unfortunate with a few efforts and it was always going to be hard against them because they play good football.

"We need the money and now I would like a really big club here for the supporters' sakes rather than an away tie."

Cherries boss Sean 0'Driscoll declined to attend the after-match press conference.