STAN Ternent has thrown down the gauntlet to his players in the wake of Burnley's painful FA Cup exit.

The Clarets chief is taking the positives out of the defeat at Millwall as he gears up for Saturday's return to league action with the visit of Ipswich.

A disciplined defence, marshalled superbly by David May, has slipped into top gear this year and conceded only three goals in seven games.

That is the sort of miserly return that, if carried forward, would certainly alleviate any worries of Burnley facing a dreaded relegation battle over the coming months.

And Ternent is urging the Clarets to keep things tight and give themselves every chance of climbing clear of the danger zone.

He said: "The cup defeat was very disappointing because we knew the first goal would be massively important.

"As it happens, they got it and the rest is history. But we are playing very well and every time we go out now we are very difficult to beat.

"We need to maintain that in the remaining 16 matches because we need to be moving up that league table.

"That's another challenge that is there for us, so we have to put the disappointment of the cup defeat behind us and crack on."

The result of last season's FA Cup quarter final defeat at Watford was a tailspin that saw the Clarets nosedive down the Division One table.

Ternent's troops won just two of their final 13 league games to end any hopes of challenging for a play off place.

This time the stakes are arguably higher, given the worrying financial implications of relegation. However, Ternent is determined to not let that happen.

He added: "To get to the quarter-finals last year and the fifth round this time is

a fantastic testament to the players.

"You have to look on the bright side and put the disappointment away. We can't alter it now and we have to get going again and achieve."

Meanwhile, Burnley are considering appealing against Paul Weller's red card, meted out for violent conduct at Millwall following a push on Lions player/boss Dennis Wise.

As it stands, Weller would be ruled out of the return trip to the New Den in 10 days time, along with Tony Grant, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the stormy cup tie.

Ternent said: "I've had another look at it (Weller's push) and it looks next to nothing.

"Paul did raise his hands and push Dennis, but a straight red was very harsh. But I will speak to Paul, have another look and then we will decide what to do.

"I cannot condone Paul raising his hands, but we have to be more professional."

Burnley Reserves host Sheffield United Reserves tonight (7pm) when Bradley Orr and Paul Rabchubka are expected to make their home debuts.