Dave Thornley in his own peerless style catches up on our last two games, both played away from home.

After losing in midweek to Wolves by virtue of an unforced defensive blunder of the type witnessed all too frequently this season, the trip to the South Coast and a meeting with Roberto di Zerbi’s fluid, efficient and skilful Brighton team was one to be approached with some trepidation by Burnley supporters.

But the Clarets’ record at the Amex Stadium is a good one, they went into the game unbeaten in Premier League encounters at that venue and emerged from it with that record intact. That they were able to do so was in due in no small part to the performance of James Trafford in the Burnley goal.

Trafford has had his share of critics this season and his slender frame, youthful demeanour and doe-eyed boyishness has caused many Clarets fans to question his suitability over the more reassuringly imposing Aro Muric; a tendency to be hesitant and indecisive, leading to costly errors has not helped.

But Burnley splashed out seriously big bucks to secure his services and there was really never any question that the starting goalkeeper spot would be his. Gradually he has grown into the role and his performance at Brighton yesterday was pivotal in Burnley securing a point from a fixture they could easily have lost.

The Clarets took the lead at the end of an evenly contested first half, through ****age winger Wilson Odobert’s deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.

It was always going to be a tough task to hold on to that lead as Brighton exerted pressure after the break, they held on until the 78th minute when Adingra’s close range header levelled the score.

Burnley, though, dug deep and showed the kind of resolve and sheer bloody-mindedness required to chisel points out of tough away games like yesterday’s. That is an encouraging sign, illustrating as it does that the team is developing character and collective will. They will need much more of it in the coming weeks and months.

Results elsewhere rendered the point gained as valuable as well as welcome, it keeps the Clarets just about hanging on to the coattails of the teams hovering outside the bottom three. Next week’s visit to Turf Moor of some familiar faces in the blue of Everton assumes enormous importance and may well prove to be a pivotal test. Hopefully the progress shown in recent weeks will stand them in good stead.

Editor's note: I expect a couple of million words will be exchanged and endless pints quaffed as Burnley fans relish a visit from their old favourite, I wonder if Sean can manage a pint in the Royal Dyche pre-or post match? (TEC.)

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