Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was left scratching his head after seeing his promotion-chasing Cherries lose for the second time in five days despite taking an early lead and dominating the opening exchanges.

Andrew Surman fired the Cherries into a third-minute lead, but Forest are a different animal these days and stormed back to claim their fourth win in five games under Freedman thanks to goals from Jamaal Lascelles and Henri Lansbury and deliver another blow to the visitors' automatic promotion hopes.

''With the way we started the game, I am baffled as to how we lost,'' Howe said. ''We came out of the traps very quickly, played some great football, scored a really good goal and I thought it was going to be a good night for us.

''Unfortunately we slightly lost our momentum and conceded a poor goal from a set-piece, and then, of course, the free-kick right on half-time - that was a difficult one to take.

''I was very pleased with the opening period and for long spells we were good. However, our decision-making towards the end was poor and we became desperate at the end.

''How we have not picked up any against Forest this season, I just don't know. We owe them one now.''

Simon Francis was adjudged to have fouled Michail Antonio for the free-kick that Lansbury scored, much to the annoyance of Howe, who criticised that decision and the overall performance of referee Miller.

''I thought Simon got the ball and overall I didn't think the referee had the best of games,'' said Howe. ''The time wasting aspect and the four minutes added on at the end baffled me.''

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman was full of praise for his players' determination as they battled back from a goal down to defeat promotion-chasing Bournemouth 2-1 at the City Ground.

''It was a disciplined performance,'' said Freedman who has now won four and drawn one of his five games in charge. ''We stuck to the game plan and it was a victory for determination and team spirit. I was delighted to see the boys bounce back after going behind.

''We grew into the game and that really pleased me. We embraced the challenge that came towards us.''

Freedman admitted it had been a difficult opening period for Forest, but was sure his side would gain a foothold in the match, He said: ''They were a very good team and the start was tough for us, but I had no doubt in my mind that my players would come back from it.''

Asked whether he was setting his sights on a play-off push, he added: ''Unfortunately for us, the teams in fifth, sixth and seventh keep on winning and it is making it hard for us.''

Freedman has only been in charge for five games at Forest and has been linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers.

However, he poured cold water on those rumours, adding: ''There is no truth at all in that at all. It is pure speculation. This is a wonderful club, I am excited to be here and it would be very insulting to talk about any other club.''

Bournemouth flew out of the blocks and took a third-minute lead through Surman's delightful 20-yard curling shot and promptly laid siege to the Forest goal.

Francis and Matt Ritchie both went close, before Ryan Fraser brought a save out of Karl Darlow, while Callum Wilson fired into the side netting, all inside 10 minutes.

But Forest woke up and after Antonio miskicked from 12 yards, Lascelles equalised after 20 minutes when driving a shot through a crowded goalmouth.

Skipper Lansbury then netted his seventh goal in seven games, cracking home a trademark free-kick.

The second half failed to live up to the first, with Forest keeping Bournemouth at bay, and the Reds fashioned the best of the chances, with Lansbury sending two free-kicks narrowly over, while Osborn fired straight at Artur Boruc.