The boss started with the same XI that started against Celtic in midweek. An early change saw Dekel Keinan replace Anthony Gerrard who left the field with a cut.
“There were patches in which we could have been much better and there were good patches,” said Mackay. “We gave the ball away too easily and that match sharpness we are aiming for is not quite there. It’s coming and we are making progress.”
Cardiff City had a 10-minute second-half spell during which Andrew Taylor scored his goal and Mackay said: “That was a spell in which it looked as though what we are working on during training was being implemented. We moved the ball quickly right to left and scored our goal and soon after Peter Whittingham hit a post.”
Mackay gave a debut to new signing Filip Kiss.
“He looked comfortable in possession and it’s clear he is somebody who has played international football at under-21 level,” said Mackay.
“I was wary of throwing him straight in because on Tuesday night he was playing for Slovan Bratislava in Kazakhstan and then made the long journey to South Wales and watched our game against Celtic.
“That’s a long, tiring journey, but I was delighted with him against Bournemouth. He is a young footballer with a lot of potential and talent.”
Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury was happy with his teams performance.
'Cardiff are a good side, a good passing team and they caused us problems at times, but equally, we caused them problems because I felt we played well. We passed the ball well, created chances and looked a good side.
'I was pleased for Scott Malone to get his goal. He has trained with us all week and I saw him score some good goals from long distance and he has got a great left foot on him and he's got good energy and I felt he worked very well with Marc Pugh.
'Steve Lovell took his goal well. I watched it again after the game and he held off his marker well, he was strong and he picked his spot and slotted it in to the bottom corner. It was a good finish from him and it will do his confidence a world of good.
Next up for Cardiff is an away friendly at Yeovil on Tuesday evening, ko 7:45pm.