The lads were first class

He was clearly upset by the decision to send off his full back Hayden Foxe, a decision that was really the only one referee Phil Dowd could make, and he even thought they were as good as us up to that point in the game.

“I think the sending off was the turning point, I think that was the difference between the two sides,” he said, and believe it or not he wasn't playing it for laughs. He went on, “We competed well, we knew we would frustrate them and we did. Foxey made a mistake, he didn't need to do what he did and that yellow was deserved, but not the first yellow.

“We seemed to get our players booked and not them. The referee has booked our player in the first half for exactly the same tackle as O'Connor but he doesn't book him. They made a lot, but didn't get booked, we make one and there's a yellow card. That really disappoints me.

“I was disappointed with the minutes added on at the end too. You had five substitutions, a sending off, two players injured that need attention, and he puts up four minutes. How can he do that?”

Quite easily Dennis, he presses the button that says 4 and then holds the board up, it really is as simple as that. And whilst you are working that out, how about checking that time is not added on for a red card. He did add, “I don't understand the rulings on minutes.” Yes, that's clear.

If you think that's all a bit far fetched, what about his thoughts on the game. “The lads worked extremely hard and believed they could get something out of it. I was pleased with the whole performance. We put them under pressure and looked like nicking a goal, and edging something out of the game.

“I had a very disappointed group in the dressing room. I can't expect any more than what they did last night and they are disappointed.”

Thanks for that Dennis, that was wonderful entertainment, I've not laughed so much since you played the straight man for Eric Morecambe when he lit up the BBC Christmas schedule. Your comments really did bring me some sunshine today.

Now on to an honest appraisal of the game, from Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, who also had some potential bad news regarding striker Andy Gray.

“The two goals were great goals,” he said. “Gifton scored with his laces, but I was delighted for him because he takes a lot of the buffeting. And I think Andy may have gone four games without a goal so that will do the pair some good.

“The only tarnishing point of the night might be Andy Gray. He's going to have an x-ray on his foot. He's struggling to move it up and down and it is a kick, not a twist. If it is ankle ligaments or a metatarsal it doesn't make a difference, we will be talking six weeks. We just hope and pray that we get some good news about that.

“I am delighted though for the strikers when they score goals. They are both a big part of the team and the dressing room.”

Onto the game overall he said, “It was an excellent three points and we deserved the win. I know there could arguably be a turning point in the game with the sending off but Leeds then had two banks of four and that made it difficult.

“We deserved our points. We've deserved more in the three games which we have lost, there were at least two draws either side of the West Brom game. But we've got our rewards now and I thought the lads were first class.”