LEWIS Cook refused to be too downhearted after defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, insisting: “We’re still on a positive run.”

Cherries were beaten 3-1 by Frank Lampard’s Blues at Vitality Stadium, with Matias Vina’s goal cancelled out by efforts from Conor Gallagher, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix.

The game was evenly poised heading into the final 10 minutes, before the hosts were made to rue a couple of big missed opportunities, as Chelsea struck twice late on to take the win.

Despite defeat, Cherries remained nine points clear of the relegation zone, although did slip a place to 14th in the table.

The loss came on the back of an impressive April in which Gary O’Neil’s charges won five of their seven matches.

Reflecting on defeat to Chelsea, midfielder Cook, who came on to play the final half an hour of the contest, told the Daily Echo: “I think it was a good game of football overall.

“I felt like we were in it throughout the game. Obviously a set-play goal kind of took it away from us, something we need to continue to work on.

“But against a top team like that, top players, I think we really gave a good account of ourselves and played some good football. But on the day, it slipped away.

“In the Premier League, fine margins decide games.

“It’s a tough, tough league, but it’s something we’ve really enjoyed this year.

“We’ve come up against top teams and competed.

“I think overall we’re still on a positive run and we can try and bounce back.”

It was a familiar problem which caused issues for Cherries on Saturday, with two of Chelsea’s goals coming from lofted balls into the box.

“I think we were in the game for large spells,” said Cook.

“Just little things like that we need to clean up on.

“I think overall it’s frustrating, but we took positives from the game, against such a good team. We’ll put it behind us and focus on the next one.”

Cherries have three matches remaining, starting at Crystal Palace on Saturday. Victory would see them leapfrog the 12th-placed Eagles in the table.

“We just want to end with three positive results, three positive performances to put us in good stead for next year,” said Cook.

“We’re going to go into every game trying to take maximum points and put on the best performance we can.

“Overall we’re still on a positive run. We’ve just got to try and put it (defeat to Chelsea) behind us and focus on the next game, to be honest.”