DEFENDER Steve Cook played a vital role in helping Cherries pull off their latest comeback mission before admitting his frustration at their ongoing failure to keep clean sheets.

Cook flicked on Ryan Fraser’s 89th-minute corner for Joshua King to tap in at the far post as Cherries twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace yesterday.

Lys Mousset came off the bench to cancel out Luka Milivojevic’s stunning free-kick before King did likewise after Wilfried Zaha’s strike had deflected off Cook to restore the visitors’ lead.

Cherries, beaten twice in 14 Premier League games, have clawed back 18 points from losing positions this season but have now gone eight matches without keeping a clean sheet.

Cook told the Daily Echo: “I am not a huge fan of the fact we keep having to come from behind to win or draw because I am a defender and it means we are also conceding goals.

“The two we conceded against Palace were very poor which was frustrating because we had kept them quiet in the first half. To concede straight after half-time was a big disappointment.

“But if you can’t win then don’t lose and it was another precious point. Palace will be bitterly disappointed because they could have put it bed with the chances they had on the counter-attack when we were chasing the game but Asmir was terrific.

“It is horrible not keeping clean sheets. You pride yourself on them and we haven’t had one since Chelsea so it seems as if we are not doing our job correctly.

“I can assure people we are doing everything possible. We defended well for 90 per cent of the game and it is lapses in concentration which are killing us.

“Again, we left it extremely late but, eventually, we aren’t going to be able to come back so it needs to change.”

Palace dangerman Zaha showed flashes of his brilliance – and signs of his petulance when he tangled with Lewis Cook midway through the first half. The winger also appealed in vain for a penalty after going down under a Simon Francis challenge in the second half.

Cook, asked for his thoughts on Zaha’s performance, replied: “Without him, would Palace be in the position they are? I know they are struggling but I don’t think they would probably have as many points without him and that shows how big a player he is for them.

“He is very difficult to play against and has everything. He is an extremely good player. He is not liked by opposition fans and players but you would definitely love to have him on your side. He is a great talent.

“Franno was excellent again and defended really well. I know Zaha scored and had a good game but we limited him to small bits. Franno kept him fairly quite when he drifted wide and it wasn’t a penalty for me.”