David Nugent salvaged a point for Burnley with a second half header that rescued them from what would have been a crushing home defeat.Turkish international Tuncay Sanli scored his fifth goal of the season with a neat header in the 24th minute to silence the crowd and put Stoke in control.
But Nugent, on-loan from Portsmouth, rode to the rescue seven minutes into the second half with a clinical header from Martin Paterson's floated cross to notch his sixth and arguably most important goal of the season.
The goals were rare highlights, though, in a turgid match which did little to convince Burnley fans they can escape relegation under manager Brian Laws.
REACTION:
Laws was putting on a brave face despite seeing his side let see two more home points slip through their grasp.
Laws insisted he was proud of the character Burnley showed to fight back and come from behind to claim a point after Tuncay had put the visitors ahead.
Deep down, though he will be disappointed in the fact he knew a rare win would have lifted Burnley out of the relegation zone.
Laws said: "In a few weeks time we could reflect on this being a massive game for us. It was an outstanding performance. The players could have felt sorry for themselves at half time.
"We got dragged into head tennis and Stoke are good at that, but we responded in the second half and the next goal was key.
"David's goal was terrific from a great ball in. It set the tone and we asked them a lot of questions. We were unlucky not to go on and win the game.
"We showed the correct commitment and drive and we need to take that into the next game now. Mick McCarthy was here tonight and will have seen that.
"The players have anwwered a few questions and I'm delighted with the response. They came off the pitch two feet taller than when they went on it. No-one is hiding. If we can keep performing like that we feel that we can go out and win games.
"It's nice to see David get a goal. He's in good form and having a bit of a purple patch. We just need to keep things tight at the back.
"I just thought we got too excited to begin with and it contributed to us falling behind. But we responded in the right manner and defended much better as the more the game went on. I just thought some of the players were a yard off the pace to start with and I let them know at half time."
Pulis looked the more satisfied manager and rightly so, even though Stoke were pegged back after taking the lead.
Stoke have now lost just twice in the last 14 games, while Burnley have won one from 18 league matches.
Pulis said: "We've had quite a lot of games of late and it takes a bit out of you. We started the second half a bit flat but give them credit, they had a real go at us.
"They showed good spirit and commitment, but this is a good point for us because we've got six or seven players out who can really help the team.
"We were down to the bare bones. We are still wearing nappies when it comes to the Premier League and we will never underestimate any side in this division.
"We are desperate to get 40 points and soon as we do then that's us safe. After that we can go on and see how many more we can get."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Burnley started well and dominated the opening exchanges, but couldn't make it count. Jack Cork wasted a glorious chance while Danny Fox saw a low drive well kept out by Thomas Sorensen. They were made to pay in the 24th minute when, surprise, surprise, a long throw from Rory Delap caused havoc in the home defence.Mamady Sidibe flicked it on and Tuncay reacted first to power a close range header past Brian Jensen. Considering Burnley had not come from behind to win all season, the writing looked on the wall for Laws's men but Nugent salvaged a point with a well-take header to prevent a full-scale mutiny at Turf Moor.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Burnley needed to win this game. They are entering the realms now of needing a minor miracle to survive considering even their home form has deserted them. The importance of this weekend's visit of fellow-strugglers Wolves is now absolutely huge and will be the club's biggest game since their play-off final with Sheffield United at Wembley last May.
Stoke just keep plodding on and grinding out results. This point takes them to 35 points and within five more of the total for the season most managers consider to be the Holy Grail. Their progress this season is an example to clubs like Burnley of how to become established in the most demanding league in the world.
QUOTABLE:
'Every man and his dog doesn't expect us to be in the Premier League next year.'
Laws proves thimself he master of the understatement.
BURNLEY 1 (Nugent 52) STOKE CITY 1 (Tuncay 24)
PLAYER MARKING:
Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen 6; Mears 7, Carlisle 6, Cort 7, Fox 7 (Jordan 76,5); Paterson 6, Alexander 5, Cork 7 (McDonald 46, 7), Eagles 8; Nugent 7, Thompson 6 (Elliott 70, 6).
Subs (not used): Weaver, Duff, Blake, Bikey.
Stoke City (4-4-1-1): Sorensen; Wilkinson, Huth, AD Faye, Collins; Lawrence (Pugh 62, 6), Delap, Whitehead, Etherington; Sidibe (Kitson 62, 6); Tuncay (Moult 85,5).
Subs (not used): Begovic, A Fay, Davies, Lund.
ATTENDANCE: 20,232.
NEXT UP:
- Burnley v Wolves (Home), Premier League 13/3, 1500 GMT
- Stoke v Aston Villa (Home), Premier League 13/3, 1500 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH: Martin Paterson (Burnley): His work rate was exceptional and he didn't deserve to be on a losing side. No-one could come close to him in terms of effort and application and he even found the time to set-up the all-important equaliser for Nugent.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cum on burnley you can do it come on bett nex time :)