STEVIE Lovell leapt to the defence of Danny Ings and insisted his fellow frontman would bounce back from his penalty woe.

The 18-year-old saw his first-half spot kick saved as Cherries and Huddersfield drew 1-1 in Saturday’s play-off semi-final, first leg at Dean Court.

After Kevin Kilbane had headed the visitors into the lead, Ings was presented with a golden opportunity when Ian Bennett felled Rhoys Wiggins.

But having been made to wait a full two minutes after the penalty award, he was denied an equaliser when veteran Terriers stopper Bennett kept out the well-struck 12-yarder.

Manchester City loan man Donal McDermott struck to ensure there was nothing between the teams ahead of Wednesday’s return meeting at the Galpharm Stadium.

Ings is likely to be a key man in that west Yorkshire showdown and Lovell believes his strike partner will have learned from the setback.

He told the Echo: “I have missed my last two. Ingsy took the last one and scored, so I thought it was only fair that he continued to do that.

“It was unlucky for him but, like I told him at the time, I am sure he is going to miss a few penalties in his career. He just has to get on with it and I am sure he will be banging in the goals again.

“All strikers miss chances and penalties – it happens. But you have got to keep going – like he showed – and he created chances and played well.

“It is not easy. It was a high-pressure game and he had the courage to take it and he was unlucky. I am sure, next time, he will put it away.

“He has got bags of ability. I feel it is all good experience for him and some of the lows he gets are all part of learning and becoming a better player.”

Midfielder Anton Robinson, who collected the Champagne after being named man of the match, added: “Ingsy showed courage to take the penalty.

“He had a great game and worked hard for the team and that is what Ingsy will do for you. He did really well, considering he had missed a penalty.

“Any other player would have put down their head and let it affect them but he didn’t let it affect him.

“He is only 18 years old and to miss a penalty in a play-off semi-final and still have a good game shows great character.

“That is the reason he is playing week in, week out for our team at a young age. It was a shame he didn’t get a chance to rectify it but he rectified it with his work rate and performance.”