Preston succumbed to their third league defeat of the season after losing 3-1 at home to AFC Bournemouth, despite taking the lead.

A series of poor defensive errors cost Preston with manager Phil Brown believing “a massive error by several players swung the game against us”. Preston have now conceded 16 goals in six games and taken just one point from six.

The Lily Whites had started the brighter of the two sides and created a number of chances to go into the lead early on, the best being from Juvhel Tsoumou but his header was pushed over the bar by Bournemouth keeper Darryl Flahavan.

The break-through wasn’t far away though and final came from Tsoumou. His swivelled shot from the by-line was driven low into the far corner to give the hosts the lead on the half-hour mark and Tsoumou his third goal in three games.

It could well have been 2-0 only seconds later, as a striving run forward by Danny Mayor from the midfield played in striker Jamie Proctor, but he was unable to release a shot.

By this stage the hosts had taken control and looked the better side with a further chance to extend their lead falling to Proctor again, but his headed effort went wide as the first half rounded out 1-0 in Preston’s favour.

Within minutes of the restart however, Bournemouth were back in the game. A run into the box by Wesley Thomas wasn’t dealt with by the onrushing Preston keeper Iain Turner as the Bournemouth forward slotted home.

The visitors began to press and just short of the hour mark they had taken the lead after more poor defensive play from the home side. Scott Malone came into the area from the left hand-side forcing a save from Turner with the rebound falling back to Malone who made no mistake second time round.

Preston looked shaky at the back and lacking in confidence and any chance of a win was all but extinguished on 67 minutes after a calamitous error at the back from Clarke Carlisle. A short free-kick by Turner was missed by Carlisle, allowing Marc Pugh to pounce on the loose ball and roll it into an empty net to the sound of jeers from the home crowd and ensure Bournemouth took all three points.

The result means Preston slip to 11th in the League One table whilst Bournemouth move out of the relegation zone into 18th.

Preston will next face league leaders Charlton Athletic next Saturday at The Valley which manager Phil Brown expects “will be a massive challenge”.

Preston North End: Turner, Gray, Carlisle, Coutts, Proctor (Daley 66), Tsoumou, Mayor, Parry, Devine, Russell (Nicholson 55, booked) Alexander

AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan, Cook (booked), Barrett, Pugh (booked), Arter, Thomas (Symes 88), Peters, Fogden (Fletcher 88), Purches (Gregory 23), Malone, Cummings

Attendance 10,825