Derby boss Nigel Clough rues wasted opportunities following the 4-2 defeat to Burnley

Apr 24 2011 by Mark Woodward, Sunday Mercury

DERBY manager Nigel Clough felt his side were made to pay for not capitalising on their first-half dominance after twice throwing away the lead against play-off-chasing Burnley at Pride Park.

Goals from Theo Robinson and Jamie Ward either side of Chris Eagles’ strike put the Rams in front at half-time.

But Burnley fought back and Eagles levelled for a second time on the rebound after his penalty was saved by Brad Jones following Ward’s sending off for a professional foul

Eagles then provided the cross for Wade Elliott to head Burnley in front and Chris McCann, starting his first game of the season following reconstructive knee ligament surgery, sealed the win midway through the second half as Eddie Howe’s side moved level on points with sixth-placed Nottingham Forest.

A disappointed Clough said: “We were extremely pleased at half-time with the performance, but disappointed not to be more than 2-1 ahead.

“We created enough chances to be more than one goal in front at half-time.

“They came out in the second half and started strongly and at that point you’ve got to hang on in there which we were doing, but then we conceded a penalty and were down to ten men which made it very difficult in the heat after that.

“I’m disappointed with the goals we conceded, even with ten men we should have done better. The lad got a free header for the third one but I thought the first half we were back to playing as we were early season.

“There were a lot of promising things and at times, like other sides, they couldn’t live with us and we just needed someone to put a chance in. We needed to get that second one without conceding but we couldn’t manage it.”

Clarets boss Howe said: “It was a fantastic second-half performance right from the kick-off.

“It was the old game of two halves. I thought in the first half we were good with the ball, Derby looked a threat every time they went forward.

“In the second half everything just clicked into gear and I thought we played as well as I’ve seen us.’’