CHERRIES development squad were edged out by the odd goal in five as they lost at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Cherries twice halved QPR’s deficit but could not prevent an eventual 3-2 defeat at New Cuthbury.

The away side had led by two inside 21 minutes, Nathan Jeche and Steven Bala on target, before Jonny Stuttle reduced arrears shortly after the break.

Rafferty Pedder again widened his side’s winning margin in the closing stages, before Michael Dacosta Gonzalez grabbed what proved to be a consolation goal two minutes from time.

Early on, Bala had gone close with a header that required intervention from Cherries keeper Mack Allan.

But the opener would soon arrive. Pedder fed Jeche inside the area, forward keeping his cool to slot past Allan.

By 21 minutes, it would be two, with Bala getting on the scoresheet.

Jospeh Ajose was the provider, Bala turning past Allan in close quarters.

Two goals behind, Cherries looked to respond.

QPR keeper Harry Cant swept up a loose ball to deny Stuttle, but could only watch on shortly after as Kian Tydeman flicked a header onto the crossbar.

Cant would also have no response to Stuttle’s finish at the start of the second period, the striker capitalising on a mix-up at the back to claw a goal back for Cherries.

Both sides huffed and puffed for another goal throughout the final 45.

In the end, it would be the away side who would grab the game’s next goal.

A creative threat throughout, Pedder took matters into his own hands with a fine finish from the edge of the area on 83 minutes.

But there will still enough time for another Cherries goal, Dacosta Gonzalez marking his return from injury with an 88th minute strike.

Cherries: Allan, Tonks, Boutin, Brown, Kinsey (Williams, 64), Harris, Tydeman (Dacosta Gonzalez, h-t), Sadi, Stuttle, Landa, Gregory (Osborne, 80). 

Unused subs: Holman, Crisp (g/k).