Boss Martin Allen could not hide his frustration after Notts County let slip the lead at Bournemouth before going down 2-1.
Hamza Bencherif's spectacular strike had given County a fifth-minute lead, but Bournemouth hit back through Wes Thomas and Wes Foden sealed the points for the home side with a fine 83rd-minute strike.
Allen said: "We weren't in any danger or under any real pressure, but we cannot close games out.
"In fact, if anything, I thought we looked more likely to score the winner as both Lee Hughes and Ishmel Demontagnac were clean through on goal, but failed to score."
County were also denied a penalty claim when Hughes tumbled under Bournemouth defender Stephane Zubar's challenge.
Allen added: "The referee said it was a dive, although I'm not sure why he would do that when he was through with only the keeper to beat. Was it a penalty? If the referee says it was a dive you have to accept that."
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