Town suffered a 3-1 defeat to Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth in their final friendly before the 2017/18 Sky Bet League Two season.

In extremely wet and windy conditions, the Glovers took the lead at Huish Park via a thumping header from Swansea City youngster Keston Davies.

Frenchman Lys Mousset equalised for the visitors on 30 minutes before Benik Afobe turned the game on its head.

Afobe slotted home his second after the interval to put gloss to the scoreline.

Manager Darren Way made one change to the team that began Saturday’s 4-2 win at Tiverton Town with Ryan Dickson coming in at left-back for Tom James.

Three former Town loanees in Harry Cornick, Matt Butcher and Ben Whitfield were selected on Bournemouth’s bench, with a wealth of top-flight experience named in the Cherries starting line-up.

One of which – Marc Pugh – tested the gloves of Artur Krysiak with a piledriver after just five minutes.

Teed up by central midfield partner Harry Arter, the long-serving Bournemouth man sent a powerful 25-yard strike at goal which Krysiak did well to beat away to his left.

The Polish stopper needed to be at his best moments later to tip over a deep Brad Smith which had got caught in the wind and was dropping under the crossbar.

Mousset was next to take aim at Krysiak, but Yeovil’s number one was equal to his attempt.

Then the Glovers went ahead against the run of play.

After Olufela Olomola’s shot was deflected over for a corner, Otis Khan’s whipped delivery was met by Davies who sent a towering header past a helpless Adam Federici.

Bournemouth were close to an immediate response when Brad Smith fired over before Khan lashed over for Town from an acute angle.

Summer recruit Connor Smith had to depart midway through the first period due to injury and his replacement Alefe Santos was straight in the action with a firm but fair challenge on Andrew Surman.

It didn’t faze Surman though as he curled a shot from distance only to be denied by another superb stop from Krysiak.

But on the half hour, he was finally beaten.

A beautiful through ball from Ryan Fraser was collected by Mousset who made no mistake with his lifted finish.

It was soon 2-1 to visitors, courtesy of a poacher’s effort from Afobe.

An unmarked Nathan Ake connected with Fraser’s corner and following a save by Krysiak, the former Wolves striker bundled home from two yards.

Two almost became three for Bournemouth when Pugh’s slide-rule pass found the onrushing Mousset who in turn cannons the ball against the post to end an eventful half.

Town made a host of changes at the break and remained solid as the away side tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Their dominance on the ball eventually told as Afobe added his second of the night.

Surman’s fizzing ball was neatly flicked into the path of Pugh by Mousset and the wide man crossed for the DR Congo international to net.

Chances were few and far between following the Cherries’ third due to number of substitutes entering the fray for both teams, with Jonny Maddison’s save from Fraser’s low shot and a late Rhys Browne attempt proving the only noteworthy talking point.

The match proved to be a tough conclusion to Town’s pre-season campaign, but now the focus eagerly turns to Saturday’s season opener at Kenilworth Road.

Yeovil Town: Krysiak (Maddison 66), Alfei (Trialist 55), Davies (Gyebi 66), N.Smith (Sowunmi 46), Dickson (James 46), Gray (Trialist 55), Bailey (Booty 46), C.Smith (Santos 24), Khan (Trialist 55), Zoko (Trialist 46), Olomola (Browne 46). Not Used: Ismail.

AFC Bournemouth: Federici (Ramsdale 72), A.Smith (Butcher 72), Cargill (Simpson 46), Ake, B.Smith (Worthington 72), Surman, Arter, Pugh, Fraser, Afobe, Mousset. Not Used: Cornick, Surridge, Whitfield, Dobre, Taylor.