It was Burnley's day in terms of the points and McClaren accepted that and, instead, looked for positives in his team's performance.
"Despite being down to ten men we played really well in the second half," he said after goals from former Ram David Jones and Dean Marney had given the Clarets victory.
"I think we were the better team, kept the ball and created a few opportunities. I don't quite know how Connor Sammon's shot stayed out and if that had gone in, who knows what would have happened.
"We believed we could get something out of the game and that shows a real air of belief in each other. Against the side that sits second in the league we produced a good performance with ten men and that bodes well for the future.
"That's the main thing, we wanted the result today but we know there's plenty of positives for the rest of the season.
"We didn't defend the goals well and we'll look at how we can improve on those, but we're keen to focus on the positives we saw today."
Asked about the decision that saw Chris Martin receive a second yellow card, McClaren added: "I've watched the footage back and it should have been a penalty. it certainly wasn't a dive by Chris and there was contact which forced him to lose his footing and slip. I think the referee got it wrong on two occasions.
"Over the weeks and months we've had decisions go our way so we know how it goes. It was just disappointing that the second yellow card reduced us to ten men.
"We have bounced back from disappointments before and we have to do it again. We have two home games coming up now with Millwall and Bolton coming to the iPro Stadium and we're looking forward to them already.
"It'll be a big four days for us and it'll be great to receive the same sort of support that we got today. The fans were terrific today and have been throughout the season, and I know they'll continue to stay behind us."
A delighted Sean Dyche saw his team win another important game but he was asked initially about the decision that saw Martin sent off. He said: "They are fine lines, but we've had seven penalties not given this season including one today.
"I must say, I felt they should have had one in the second half, but so was ours on Ashley Barnes.
"What put him (Martin) in trouble was the previous incidents. He had been lively, let's say, and he got away with one with Jason Shackell, another with Ben Mee. He then got booked with the third one and the referee is under pressure.
"In the incident, I actually think he loses his footing, but once he does that he appeals very quickly. If you do that, it's hard for the referee to decide and on this occasion, in a tough call, he felt it was a second yellow and off he went."
For once it wasn't Danny Ings and Sam Vokes on the goal sheet and Dyche added: "David and Dean picked up a goal apiece and it's always pleasing for the players and staff when a set play comes off.
"I am pleased for both of them because they have been in the right area a number of times and it's just not fallen, but it's a group effort and we were outstanding again today.
"Sometimes the toughest fight you have is against someone with nothing to lose. They were 1-0 down and with ten men, so in the second half had four at the back, one in front and the rest running everywhere.
"That can be awkward to play against, is it was in pockets, but overall I felt we deserved it. I thought the football in the first half was terrific.
"I talk a lot about the fact how the lads go about their business on a daily basis. If you do it there, you don't need to change anything, or flick a switch on a Saturday.
"Individually, you just go and deliver and I thought in the first half, after a slow start, we soon started to play and some of our movement and the way we shifted the ball through the units was excellent.
"A number of teams have come here and looked to contain us this year and I'm pleased to say they haven't fared that well. There was another sign of that today, but that's great respect to our players."