Scott Parker focuses on ‘point gained’ as Burnley move second after Derby County draw

Burnley boss Scott Parker believed his side’s goalless draw against Derby was a “point gained” despite being knocked off the top of the Sky Bet Championship.

The high-flying Clarets could only muster two shots on target in a rather low-key affair as Derby goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom was only called upon twice to deny efforts from Zian Flemming and Hannibal Mejbri.

Relegation-threatened Derby put Burnley under serious pressure at times at Pride Park and could have snatched victory in stoppage-time when Matt Clarke headed off target from inside the six-yard box.

Parker admitted he was disappointed they did not win the game but was not upset with another point on the board.

Scott Parker

After Leeds knocked his side into second on goal difference – after beating Middlesbrough 1-0 – he said: “Overall it’s a point gained for us.

“It was a tough battle. I thought we started the game really well. We knew what we were going to come and face, they’re a side that put you under pressure. We needed to be defensively solid and I thought we did that very well.

“We came with full intention to win the game but we weren’t able to do that.

“We’ve been exceptional for the majority of this season and we came here tonight, it’s given us the platform to walk out of here with a point. This one’s boxed off – we move on, now there’s five left.”

Parker believed there would still be a few more twists and turns between now and the end of the season after dropping to second in the table.

“There will be more (twists and turns), this is what this division brings, lots of games in short succession,” he added.

“We’re disappointed we’ve not come here and got three points so we will quickly eradicate that out of the players’ minds and understand it’s a point and move onto Norwich.”

Derby boss John Eustace was proud of the effort his side – who remain 21st – showed against a team that started the night top of the league

John Eustace

Eustace said: “Very proud of the effort. The group went toe-to-toe with the best team in the league and there wasn’t much in the game.

“The group have been excellent since we came in. Everyone’s playing their part to try to pick up as many points as we can.

“I don’t care where we are right now, it counts at the end of the season. All I care about is Derby and making us competitive in every game we play.

“The first 15 minutes we looked nervous and then for the final 20 minutes of that half, we were very good. We looked as if we could’ve gone ahead and scored.”

READ MORE: Burnley slip to second in Championship on goal difference after being held in Derby County stalemate