STAN TERNENT believes Lady Luck is due to pay Turf Moor a long overdue visit in the coming weeks.

The Burnley boss insisted his side are simply not getting the breaks after a sweeping 'flu bug and another gift goal conspired to send the Clarets to a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

And Ternent is convinced that when fortune finally favours the Clarets, they will pick up the wins that are proving so elusive at present.

He said: "I thought we had a good go and deserved something from the game, but again it's a self-inflicted defeat.

"The goal we gave away was comic cuts again, but they had a little rub and it broke for them when Tonge scored and sometimes it goes that way when you are at the top.

"There wasn't a lot to choose between the two teams - certainly not the gulf from where they are to where we are.

"It just didn't break for us and sometimes that's the difference between winning and losing."

The decisive moment at Bramall Lane came in first half stoppage time, when Dean West cannoned the ball off fellow defender Arthur Gnohere to gift Michael Tonge an open goal from eight yards out.

That was enough to drop Burnley to 18th in Division One, despite only their second defeat in nine league games.

But upbeat Ternent revealed the depth of the extenuating circumstances behind the Bramall Lane defeat.

He added: "It wasn't much of a game. It was all biff and bash and not a lot of room to play in.

"We had our heads up most of the game, but goals alter the shape of the game and you have to go chasing.

"Without excuses we are riddled with 'flu, so in fairness to the players they have had a really good go.

"Glen (Little) didn't train, Robbie (Blake) was struggling big style, Delroy (Facey) had a go but couldn't get the trip and Luke (Chadwick) the same, so all in all they have had a good go, but it wasn't our day."

In addition, Burnley lost skipper Graham Branch after a first half knock left him unable to continue at the heart of the defence.

However, that led to Mark McGregor making a welcome return, coming on as a sub for his first appearance of the season to boost Ternent's defensive options.

The Clarets chief added: "Graham got some studs right across his ankle and we sorted him out to try and get him going with the rest of the lads, but he was struggling big style.

"But it was good to see Mark back. He's only had one reserve team game for Ronnie and he's been out a long time, so he did very well when he came on."