CHARLIE Daniels insists team-mate Brett Pitman should receive greater acclaim for his contribution to the Cherries cause.

Pitman emphatically silenced his critics with a barnstorming brace in front of the Sky TV cameras five days ago, providing the impetus for Cherries’ memorable 5-1 success at Fulham.

The Jerseyman, 27, has netted 10 times this season, despite sharing the support striker’s role with French colleague Yann Kermorgant.

And Daniels revealed that the long-serving Cherries forward, the goalscoring hero of past promotion exploits, had been a popular instigator of the success within the dressing room.

Discussing Pitman’s exploits, Daniels quipped: “I think a few of the lads were surprised by Brett’s pace for the third, they hadn’t seen it before. He keeps mentioning Exeter away which must have been the last time he did it!

“Joking aside, though, he played really well and took his goals brilliantly. We all know what he is capable of because we see it all the time in training and hopefully we can keep him scoring.

“We do not really care who scores but it is nice for people like Bretty because he sometimes does not get the recognition he deserves for his work rate.

“I was pleased for him because they were two really good goals that showed everybody what he is about.”

But while Daniels was quick to laud the manner in which Pitman had hit double figures, he admitted the striker’s wonder goal had been overshadowed by Steve Cook’s ripsnorter at the end of the game.

Pitman darted from his own half and past three defenders to net Cherries’ third but centre-half Cook defied convention to despatch an angled rocket which flew across Marcus Bettenelli and into the top far corner late on.

Asked for his pick of the goals, Daniels said: “It had to be Cooky’s.

“Brett’s goal was brilliant but we have seen him do that before. I can’t honestly say that about Cooky.

“A few of the lads, even JT (Jason Tindall, assistant manager), asked whether he had meant to cross it but it was definitely a shot and one hell of a strike.”