We do lack that bit of quality

"I think it was a fair result," he said. "I thought they put us under pressure, they hit the post, and they hit the bar. Andy Lonergan has made a few saves, but you've got to expect that you are going to come under a little bit of pressure.

"I thought we all did our jobs very well and I'm delighted with the attitude, there was a real spirit, there were minor scuffles going on and we were together, a proper solid unit and in the end it was a comfortable 2-0 victory.

"It wasn't a game of eight bookings, there were a lot of silly ones and when you look at some of the soft bookings you find it hard to believe there wasn't a sending off. Nugent's challenge on Duff on the half way line was probably the one that did deserve a yellow card and the referee didn't give it.

"This was a really important result because the run we've been on of late has been win/lose/win/lose etc. and we needed to get two wins on the bounce and that's what we have done today."

Steve Cotterill saw his side edge ever closer to the drop zone after this latest defeat but felt it wasn't a fair result. "Of course we are concerned about the situation, but we don't look like a side that deserved to lose that game.

"There's plenty of fighting spirit there and togetherness. If I have to be critical we do lack that bit of quality and we have just seen what happened. Nugent has had one chance today and stuck it away and that is why he is being linked with the England squad.

"We are getting bodies into the opposition box and we just have to make sure we get the one in there now who puts the ball into the back of the net."

Burnley had more chances during the game but came up against a goalkeeper on top form. "It was a great effort from our boys," Cotterill added. "On another day we wouldn't have come up against a goalkeeper making such saves. I don't know how he kept out the one from Kyle, and when we did beat him we hit the crossbar. Overall we are bitterly disappointed, but I thought the lads that went out there, as light as we were, gave it absolutely everything."

Speaking on the injuries he added: "Andy Gray was taken ill after the Southend game and lost over half a stone. He looked gaunt and weak and he was nowhere near being involved."

The Clarets, already without three defenders, lost Steven Caldwell just after half time. "We got away with it in the first half, but he couldn't move his arm and had to come off. We can't afford to lose defenders, and we have ended up with Wade Elliott at right back and Chris McCann in the centre again.

"They gave it their all and other than a bit of quality that's been missing for a while, I don't think they could have given any more."

His final words were for the supporters who travelled to Deepdale for the early kick off. "They were brilliant," he said. "The came in their numbers, they were vocal and they applauded the players at the end. That is always a measure, but they have been great supporters all the time I have been here, and nothing changes that in my eyes."