AS tears were shed on the terraces at Turf Moor, Clarets boss Stan Ternent vowed that his side would come back even stronger after the final day heart-break.

Missing out on the play-offs by one goal was too much for many to take but Ternent insisted: "We will go away, re-group and come back stronger.

"Financially we need to move on to get that bit more quality and strength in depth.

"But I am still proud of my players and thank them for their efforts.

"For Burnley to finish the last day of the season missing the play-offs by one goal is very hard to take.

"Everyone is flat because we know if we had scored another goal we would be in the play-offs.

"But sooner or later we will get promotion or get in the play-offs so we have another bite at it.

"Through all the disappointment, if you can handle it you can come back stronger."

Before the match Ternent insisted that the priority had to be to win the game, even if it was only 1-0, and thanks to sub Gareth Taylor's towering header a minute after coming on that was what happened.

But with Norwich City beating ten man Stockport 2-0 at Carrow Road it was the Canaries who took the final play-off spot and a two-legged semi-final against Wolves.

In other years the fact that Burnley had scored ten more goals in the season than the Norfolk side would have meant it was they who would be delaying their holidays.

"I would like to get hold of the guy who changed it to goal difference not goals scored," said Ternent. "I'd strangle him.

"But we have improved our points total to 75 from 72 although since Christmas we have not performed as well."

It is fewer than four months ago that Burnley sat proudly on top of the first division with 50 points from 25 games by Christmas Day.

Yesterday's victory over the Sky Blues was a second consecutive home win but it was a collapse in home form that allowed the chasing pack to initially close the gap, move level and finally overtake them.

For more than three months they went without a win at Turf Moor and it was a run that ultimately cost them what had appeared there for the taking.

Yesterday the Clarets dropped out of the top six for only the third time in the whole of the season but it is the only time that really matters.

The fans more than played their part yesterday as they created a great atmosphere earning praise from both Ternent and goal hero Taylor.

"I am very disappointed for the fans who were absolutely fantastic," said Ternent.

But Ternent's chief regret is for the players who have served him so well for much of the season, ensuring that in each of his four years at the club there has been an improvement.

"I'm extremely disappointed for the the players who have been fantastic all season," he said.

Now the hard work will continue over the summer as Ternent plans for the next campaign.

There will certainly be changes at Turf Moor but if they result in a fifth successive season of progress tears of dismay will be replaced by tears of joy in 12 months time.