SAINTS B fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of an experienced Bournemouth side in the Premier League Cup, at Staplewood Campus.

Euan Pollock’s solitary goal was enough as Dave Horseman named two trialists in his young starting XI – a centre-back and an attacking midfielder – that featured no Thierry Small, Kegs Chauke or Kazeem Olaigbe.

His side cannot progress any further in the competition. They currently sit bottom of the group with just one more clash with Cherries to fulfil.

The Bournemouth side featured first-team experienced Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Christian Saydee, as well as the likes of Jake Scrimshaw who have had Football League loans.

The visiting team took the lead after just ten minutes, with Pollock finding space in the area before nestling the ball in the top far-corner.

Scrimshaw had two good chances to double the advantage inside the area in the first-half, but his first effort was well blocked by the trialling Saints defender and his later free-shot at goal from just six yards was superbly stopped by goalkeeper Ollie Wright.

The second-half was better for the hosts, who saw a number of half-chances slip away from them before 16-year-old Kamari Doyle rattled the post.

The Bournemouth outfit defended resolutely into the final stages and they kept their Premier League Cup hopes alive, knowing that another win over Saints could send them through.

Saints B: Wright; Payne, Otseh-Taiwo, Trialist, Tizzard, Carson; Turner, Doyle, Trialist; Pearce, Ballard

Bournemouth: Camis; Genesini, Camp, Ibsen Rossi, Greenwood, Gidaree, Wadham, Roberts, Pollock, Scrimshaw, Saydee