EDDIE Howe believes emotion in football is being “wiped from history” by VAR after Bournemouth were pushed to the brink of Premier League relegation by a dramatic defeat to Saints.

Cherries boss Howe thought his struggling side had snatched a precious point against their local rivals when academy graduate Sam Surridge fired home deep into stoppage time.

But the goal was disallowed following intervention from Stockley Park after Callum Wilson was spotted to have been offside in the build-up, allowing Saints to break forward and seal a 2-0 success at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth suffered similar frustration in the recent goalless draw with Tottenham when England international Wilson had a last-minute effort ruled out on review for handball against Joshua King, while they controversially had two goals wiped out in the 3-0 loss at Burnley in February.

Howe’s side are reliant on results elsewhere to remain in the top flight and he believes they have received “very minimal” benefit from VAR during a difficult season.

“It hasn’t only happened to us this season but it feels like we’ve been on the wrong end of a few calls that are so tight,” said Howe.

“You have the Tottenham one and (Sunday’s) one where the goals are given, there is a long pause and a long wait.

“You are fearing the worst and then that of course becomes reality and it’s so difficult for the players who have shared that joy and then it’s taken away.

“You go back to games earlier in the season that have really hurt us, you go back to the Burnley game where VAR was hugely influential. We have had our moments the other way but very minimal compared to the negative side.

“(It’s) incredibly difficult for him (Surridge) and everyone connected with the club because I am sure there are thousands of supporters around the world feeling the same way.

“That’s the downside of VAR because the emotion that the game has and what it means to people…it then gets wiped from history and that’s a tough one.”