CHERRIES star Steve Cook slammed the perpetrator of a coin-throwing incident and said the mindless act “could have finished my career”.

Cook fell to the floor after being struck just above the eye as Cherries celebrated their fourth goal during Saturday’s 5-2 win over Millwall.

A section of visiting supporters at Dean Court had taken exception after Cherries’ former Millwall striker Lewis Grabban had led the celebrations in front of them.

And as police and stewards moved in to prevent the situation escalating, Cook was hit by a one pound coin which was thrown from the East Stand.

Although Cook was fortunate to escape with a bruise to his forehead, the defender admitted the incident had left him shaken.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cook said: “I was lucky and I dread to think what could have happened if it had hit me in the eye. It was about an inch-and-a-half away.

“It was a stupid thing to do and very dangerous. Something like that can end a player’s career and that could have happened to me. I was very fortunate.”

Cook, who netted Cherries’ equaliser with a towering header during a man-of-the-match display, added: “Some of the Millwall fans had been giving Lewis a lot of stick throughout the game.

“He obviously didn’t have the best of times at Millwall and he got one over them in the end by scoring the penalty. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with his celebration.”

Asked by the Daily Echo for his thoughts on Grabban’s celebration, Lions boss Steve Lomas replied: “I didn’t see it. We were just disappointed with the goal going in. It is something for you to look at, not for me to comment on.”

Details of the incident are expected to be included in referee Lee Collins’s match report and sanctions could be imposed should the FA choose to act.

Grabban told the media he had been “smiling and waving” at the travelling supporters and refuted suggestions he had made any gestures towards them.

He added: “It was just a bit of banter with their fans and was all in the moment.

“They had been giving me stick throughout the game and I was fortunate enough to score and gave a bit back. There was nothing more in it.

“I won’t take to heart what they were saying, it happens to loads of players up and down the country.

It was nice to be able to gloat a bit after I had scored.”

Asked about the coin-throwing incident, Grabban said: “There are individuals who think it is right to do that but obviously it isn’t. There is no place in life for that and there are no excuses.”