JAMES O'Connor played down his stunning first goal in the Football League then declared: 'I just wish it had been the winner', writes STEVE WILSON.

The former Aston Villa defender lashed home a glorious long-range drive just past the hour mark of Cherries' 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe, after Peter Beagrie's penalty had been cancelled out by James Hayter's first-half header.

But Sean O'Driscoll's side were pegged back with just six minutes left as Richard Hinds fired home the equaliser that saw the points shared at Glanford Park.

O'Connor told the Daily Echo: "Hayts (James Hayter) cushioned it down well and my touch set it up perfectly, so I just had to hit it - luckily enough it flew in.

"I hit it as well as I could and I knew it had a chance - but I didn't know quite what to do after I'd scored. I just ran to big Fletch and jumped on him!

"I had a bet with Steve Foley that I would score before the end of the season so I've been giving him a bit of stick - I'm delighted with it but it is just a shame that it wasn't enough to win the game."

Having already seen a delightful side-foot volley crash back off the inside of the post, the 21-year-old admitted that he thought his first ever goal for the club might never come.

He said: "The earlier one was instinctive and when that hit the post, I thought 'am I ever going to score?'

"I can't really remember my last goal but it was a long time ago, let's put it that way. I think it was for Aston Villa's youth team so we are talking a few years ago."

While the pressure intensifies as Cherries attempt to preserve their League One status, O'Connor believes the team has the character to see them through.

He said: "We're becoming harder to beat and as long as we keep picking up points, we'll be OK."