SKIPPER Simon Francis believes Cherries conceded “unacceptable” goals in their defeat at Sheffield United.

Having taken an early lead through Callum Wilson, the Blades equalised on the stroke of half-time through Billy Sharp following a corner and won it late on when John Lundstram tucked in after Cherries switched off from a throw-in.

“The confidence was there for sure, especially from the start we played some good stuff, counter-attacked well, transitioned when we won the ball back, we dealt with their play pretty well,” Francis told the Daily Echo.

“Scoring right before half-time is a sickener really. You come out for the second half and probably didn’t get going as quick as we did in the first half and we paid the price for that.

“There were large parts where we defended well. But to concede from a corner and then a throw-in really, is unacceptable at this level.

“We’re kicking ourselves because we felt we deserved more from the game.”

He added: “They’re flying in the league this season, Sheffield United, so we knew the crowd would be behind them and they fought to the end. We switched off for a moment and at this level you get punished.”