CHERRIES’ unbeaten run continued under interim boss Gary O’Neil, but the Dorset club were left to settle for a 0-0 draw at home with Brentford.

The best chances of the contest fell to Ivan Toney and Jefferson Lerma during the second half at Vitality Stadium – that came after the hosts were denied a big shout for a first-half penalty following a VAR check.

Their protests were also waved away by referee Thomas Bramall, after a huge shout for handball inside the Bees’ box in the dying moments.

The point meant Cherries had accumulated six points from four games since O’Neil took charge.

Cherries made just one change from the side who recorded a 1-1 draw at Newcastle before the international break.

Ryan Christie dropped to the bench with Kieffer Moore brought in to lead the line up front.

Visitors Brentford made two changes. Mikkel Damsgaard and Shandon Baptiste were brought in for Thomas Frank’s Bees, who started the day ninth in the table.

And it was the visitors who almost carved out an opener via an unforced error from Cherries after just three minutes.

Chris Mepham’s loose pass was pounced on by Damsgaard. The former Sampdoria man’s curling effort had home keeper Neto flying to his left to make a fine save.

The visitors then had another opportunity from a set piece 10 minutes later. An outswinging corner was met by the head of defender Pontus Jansson, unchallenged.

After his effort was blocked, the ball fell to Damsgaard, who once again worked Neto with a strike from range.

The game’s first real talking point then ensued midway through the opening half.

With Cherries launching an attack, Marcus Tavernier’s pass for the run of Jordan Zemura saw Kris Ajer slide in on the full-back, who went to ground inside the box.

Having not given a penalty on-field, referee Bramall was instructed to take another look at the pitchside monitor by VAR John Brooks, but opted not to reverse his decision.

Norwegian Ajer was then in the thick of it at the other end, heading over from four yards out after Cherries failed to clear from a corner. Ben Mee was on hand for Brentford to block Tavernier’s low drive just before the break.

Cherries almost broke the deadlock five minutes into the second period.

Tavernier’s corner to the back post was headed back across goal by Moore, Lerma’s flick was then headed clear by Toney inside the six-yard box.

The Dorset club then squandered a golden chance on the counter. Following a Brentford corner, Moore could not gather a ball from Tavernier and referee Bramall penalised Lerma for shoving over Jansson in the box.

O’Neil then looked to the bench and introduced Christie for Moore with 18 minutes remaining but it was the Bees who conjured the best chance of the contest soon after.

Josh Dasilva’s first-time through ball was perfect for the run of Toney. The former Peterborough man got goalside of Mepham before firing wide from close range.

Toney then saw a free-kick right on the edge of the area deflect wide off the wall, as the contest entered the latter stages.

Cherries were then adamant they should have had a penalty with the final moment of the game.

The ball appeared to flick the arm of Mathias Jensen in the box but referee Bramall blew for full-time, despite Cherries’ protests. The officials were booed off at full-time.

Cherries: Neto, Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura, Cook, Lerma, Tavernier, Billing, Moore (Christie, 72), Solanke.

Unused subs: Stephens, Marcondes, Stacey, Lowe, Dembele, Hill, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Lerma.

Brentford: Raya, Ajer (Hickey, 61), Jansson (Zanka, 65), Mee, Baptiste (Onyeka, 84), Damsgaard (Dasilva, 61), Janelt, Jensen, Henry, Mbeumo (Wissa, 61), Toney

Unused subs: Buchanan, Ghoddos, Roerslev, Trevitt, Cox (g/k).

Booked: Toney, Hickey

Referee: Thomas Bramall.

VAR: John Brooks