CAPTAIN Lloyd Kelly says Cherries’ squad have “got to stick together at this moment”, adding: “We need to make sure we do better individually and as a group.”

Cherries slumped to a sixth straight defeat, beaten 2-0 by Brentford in west London on Saturday.

A controversial Ivan Toney penalty broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, with Mathias Jensen wrapped up the win with 15 minutes to play.

The loss left Cherries 17th in the Premier League table at the halfway mark, on 16 points.

“In that first half it was fairly equal,” Kelly told afcbTV, reflecting on the Brentford contest.

“We defended well, right up until the (penalty) decision.

“Seeing it back, it is difficult to accept, to be honest.

“Second half we showed glimpses of good things.

“When you get hit with the second goal, it’s just easy things to avoid, to be honest.

“Everyone can accept we need to see those moments out and we need to do better, that’s it.

“It’s a hard one, but that’s how it is.”

Asked how tough it was mentally to concede a second goal whilst pushing for an equaliser, Kelly added: “Everyone knows we need to do better in those moments and manage those moments.

“I can say it’s difficult, but we have to do better.”

Discussing the importance of the togetherness of the squad during this difficult run, Kelly said: “From the beginning of the season, we needed that, every day.

“And especially in the game situations. Of course, you look at where we are and how hard this league is and games coming round, we’ve got to stick together at this moment.

“Especially the players and everyone that is involved in this club. That’s what we need to do from now until the end of the season.

“We need to make sure we do better individually and as a group, for sure.”