Cherries boss Eddie Howe said:

"It's a difficult one to take - it wasn't a perfect game from us, we found the first half quite difficult but it was a much improved second-half display.

"Until we went 2-1 up I felt we were the dominant team. Newcastle put pressure on but we defended really well at times and it looked like we were going to see the game out until the ball fell to Matty's left foot.

"It's bizarre how football can find these stories, he's probably the one player on the pitch we didn't want the ball to fall to on his left foot as we know how he can strike the ball from distance.

"I'm sure I speak on behalf of the Bournemouth supporters, when you concede so late in the game and you think the referee's about to blow. But that's what makes the game special - it isn't over till it's over.

"We've still got more work to do. We're still looking above us as well at the same time trying to catch the teams above us.

"It's a good time for us, a two week break to get some bodies back. We need that. 

"We've got some quality players that are not available at the moment and our squad will look a lot stronger when they return."

Former Cherry, Matt Ritchie, scored a spectacular last gasp equaliser as Newcastle's longest trek of the season saw them return with a deserved point from the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Not only did that prevent a home victory, but it also stopped referee Mike Dean from hugging the limelight that he so obviously craves, after some typical attention-seeking decision making.

Dean awarded Bournemouth a dubious penalty and denied a strong claim from United as Salomon Rondon's fabulous first half free-kick was cancelled out by Josh King's spot-kick.

The chance for the opener arrived courtesy of Miguel Almiron's surging forward run in first half added time, unceremoniously ended by Jordon Ibe not far from the Cherries box and then punished by a perfectly-executed free kick from Salomon Rondon that thundered home to give United the lead.

However Dean penalised Federico Fernandez for the merest of contacts on Nathan Ake in the box following a 47th minute corner, allowing King to beat Martin Dubravka from the spot.

The referee had been rather less willing to penalise the hosts in the opening half when DeAndre Yedlin was fouled in the box after the ball had gone and also ruled in favour of Bournemouth when showing yellow rather than red for a scything challenge on Ayoze Perez.

There were three changes to the side that memorably defeated Everton a week earlier: Fabian Schar's suspension and Jamaal Lascelles' knee problem saw Federico Fernandez make his first PL appearance of 2019 and Paul Dummett start a game for the first time since January 2nd. 

Having returned against Everton in place of the incapacitated Sean Longstaff, Ki was omitted from today's squad, Mo Diame restored to the starting XI in his place. Ciaran Clark was fit enough to return to the bench, while Yoshinori Muto featured for the first time since early January.

Perez had been the first name in the referee's book after just nine minutes for an innocuous clash, but when he was wiped out in the centre circle by Jefferson Lerma the punishment was identical - the Bournemouth player seemingly expecting to go off. 

Paul Dummett later kept United on level terms with a tremendous goal line clearance from Callum Wilson reminiscent of Barry Venison's similarly acrobatic effort at Luton Town back in 1994, the difference being that quarter of a century later, goal-line technology confirmed the outcome.

However, that all looked to be in vain when King got his second in the 81st minute after being played in by substitute Dominic Solanke - who took advantage of momentary indecision by Fernandez and the reluctance of his colleagues to intervene (doubtless for fear of giving another penalty away). 

The mood of the away contingent then became even bleaker when Chris Mepham inexplicably got away with an intentional back pass to his goalkeeper, stewards trying to calm things down at the front of the away stand as the game moved into added time.

United were denied victory here last season by a late home equaliser that made it 2-2, but the mood was vastly different when Ritchie stunned his former club with an absolutely unstoppable volley in the fourth minute of added time. The Newcastle contingent nearby predictably celebrated wildly - some ending up on the field alongside the scorer and his colleagues.

Although there's justified annoyance at throwing away an away advantage for the fifth time in the Premier League this season, Ritchie's rocket secured another vital point towards safety.

Just one defeat in their last six games leaves Rafa's side thirteenth with 35 points after 31 games, exactly the same points tally from that number of games in 2017/18 with identical goals scored (31) and conceded (40).

The Magpies went seven points clear of Cardiff City - who have played one game fewer - while a 1-2 loss by Burnley to ten-man Leicester left them in big trouble ahead of some stinking fixtures.

Huddersfield Town threw away a 3-1 lead at West Ham to lose 4-3 and hasten their departure to the Championship; a 1-2 home loss to Liverpool on Sunday looking to condemn Fulham to joining them. A late penalty from James Milner left his former SJP colleague Scott Parker high and dry. 

A fortnight away from our next game and as the manager admits, the job of avoiding relegation is all but complete again. At that point Rafa was said that he'll sit down and talk about his future - it would be a brave man that predicted the outcome of those exchanges with any confidence.

Biffa