CHE Adams had a last-minute equaliser ruled out for offside as Saints slipped further towards relegation to the Championship in a 1-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.

Marcus Tavernier’s deflected opener was enough for Gary O’Neil’s side to snatch all three points and continue the run of away teams winning in these fixtures.

Saints started the night six points adrift of safety and a further three off their south coast neighbours, with just six games including this one to play.

With a visit to Newcastle United up next on Sunday, the immediate future looks bleak for the St Mary’s side – acquired by new owners Sport Republic just 16 months ago.

Ruben Selles made two changes from his team that drew 3-3 with Arsenal last Friday evening, with Armel Bella-Kotchap’s omission presumably forced as he was absent from the squad altogether.

Duje Caleta-Car replaced him while Alex McCarthy started in net for his first Premier League appearance of the campaign – Adam Armstrong retained his starting berth, with Paul Onuachu left out of the squad.

The returning McCarthy almost gifted the Cherries a perfect start when he slipped under the pressure of Dom Solanke – but the action only resulted in a goal kick.

The fixture did begin with some intensity from both sides as Bournemouth looked to counter while it was Armstrong who was forcing shots to be blocked and saved behind for corner kicks.

Solanke continued to cause problems and the visitors thought they had opened when the Englishman’s shot was rebounded to Matias Vina and powered beyond McCarthy.

It was ruled out for an offside on Solanke – but Saints were dealt some bad news before the break with Romain Perraud forced off almost in tears after picking up an injury off the ball.

It got worse, though. Captain James Ward-Prowse had been ill in the build-up to the match and came off at half-time, with Lyanco his replacement.

Tavernier was then allowed time inside the area and his low, deflected shot just creeped past McCarthy for the opener inside five minutes of the second period.

Bournemouth were playing through the now non-existent Saints midfield with ease and the atmosphere really turned sour.

VAR took pity on Saints and denied the visitors a potential penalty for a Jan Bednarek handball inside the area as the onslaught continued – Adams was sent on by Selles for his injury return.

But Saints came no closer to scoring by the 75th minute – when Kamaldeen Sulemana replaced Armstrong – with the stadium bowl already emptying.

Saints had their best period in the closing stages but even a phenomenal delivery into the back-post by substitute Stuart Armstrong was not enough to prove incisive.

Adams thought he had levelled in the last minute of regulation time after a mazy Armstrong run – but Saints were denied a point by the length of the Scotsman’s toe.

Saints: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Caleta-Car, Perraud (Maitland-Niles, 37); Lavia, Ward-Prowse (Lyanco, h-t), Elyounoussi (S Armstrong, 60), Alcaraz, A Armstrong (Kamaldeen, 75); Walcott (Adams, 60).

Unused subs: Aribo, Mara, Djenepo, Bazunu (g/k).

AFC Bournemouth: Neto; Tavernier (Smith, 77), Mepham, Senesi (Zabarnyi, 67), Kelly, Vina; Lerma, Rothwell, Billing (Ouattara, 90); Christie, Solanke (Moore, 90).

Unused subs: Cook, Brooks, Semenyo, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Smith, Lerma, Vina.

Referee: Darren England.

VAR: Andy Madley.