DEFENDER Steve Cook believes referee Graham Scott was not “brave enough” to award Cherries a penalty against Manchester United.

Man-in-the-middle Scott turned down the hosts’ appeals after Luke Shaw hauled back Callum Wilson inside the box with Cherries trailing 1-0 during the second half at Vitality Stadium.

Scott’s call was criticised by former top-flight referee Graham Poll, who felt the match official should have pointed to the spot.

Cherries went on to lose 2-0 with United’s goals coming from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku.

Cook told the Daily Echo: “I thought we should have had a penalty, maybe two, but I don’t think the referee was brave enough to give us anything against United.

“I thought it looked like Callum was just going to tap it in – a second later he was on the floor.

“I was quite a way away but you could say it was clever defending. It was a decision which got away from us and looked like it cost us.

“I think it’s easy for referees to give the bigger sides decisions than us.

“I am not blaming the referee for not winning because, ultimately, it is down to us. It was tough to take.”