Burnley fell behind to a Jamie Ward goal but two more from Austin eventually gave Burnley the points and Clough said after the game: "A defeat like that is exceptionally hard to take because we created enough chances to win three games today.
"We have given away two exceptionally poor goals today and given we were in control for long spells in both halves, we really didn't deserve to lose the game. If we couldn't win it we had to make sure we didn't lose it and it's frustrating from that point of view that we didn't see the game out.
"Concentration is paramount in those situations and we were caught out a bit defensively late on, leaving us with nothing to show from another very good performance.
"It's hard for the players, they deserve far more that what the first seven games of the season have provided us but if we keep playing as we are, the wins will come more consistently. We're not making glaring errors, but we're getting caught out for every little half mistake we make."
Howe was honest enough to admit that the Clarets hadn't held the upper hand for long spells in the game. "It was a strange game and football never ceases to amaze me," he said. "We were under the cosh for the last twenty minutes, but we defended really well."
He also confirmed that the Austin might have come off before he got that winner. He said: "We were actually discussing taking Charlie off but they are the dilemmas you have as a manager. We didn't want to lose today and with ten minutes to go and being under the cosh we were thinking let's get three in midfield. On the other hand, you want to leave him on because he can score goals and today we came out on the right side.
"It's a great goal return already this season and he just looks so confident when the ball lands at his feet in front of goal. His first is a fantastic strike and for the second, whenever there is a ball in the box you know he is going to be on the end of it."
There was a surprise ahead of kick off with Ben Mee preferred to Joseph Mills at left back, and what a performance Mee gave us. "I thought Ben was magnificent today," Howe added. "We wanted to change it, especially with playing on Wednesday and defensively he was outstanding. Again he put his body on the line and played his part in the win.
"We had some real heroes out there. Lee Grant had another terrific game and Jason Shackell was very much touch and go. We didn't know how he was going to fare until he had completed the warm up because he had a problem with an area behind the back of his knee and a tight hamstring.
"It was a big ask to get through the game, but he did fantastically well because he was playing on one leg today."
Looking back at the overall game, he concluded: "The really pleasing thing today is we have come from behind. We hadn't won ugly this season yet and that's the first time we've managed it.
"I would be lying if I said we 100 per cent deserved the win because we were slow out of the traps. I was a frustrated man at half time to be honest, but it became more of a battle in the second half and thankfully we have come out on top."