BURNLEY'S 100 per cent record in the First Division went by the wayside in their 4-2 home defeat by Manchester City last night but Clarets boss Stan Ternent was more than happy with his side's commitment.

The victory took City top of the table, a position the Clarets would have held had they taken even a point, but the turning point was the 35th minute sending off of Clarets defender Gordon Armstrong.

Armstrong blocked a Tony Grant shot with his arm, but while all conceded it was a penalty both managers, Ternent and former England coach Kevin Keegan, thought the red card dished out by referee Clive Wilkes was a tough break.

Keegan said: "I went to see the referee and said I thought it was harsh.

"But he said the ball was heading for goal and the lad did put his hand up."

For Ternent it was more a case of a chance taking something from the game being snatched away from his side."I thought my players gave everything and I thought it was still a good match for ourselves and the fans, but playing Manchester City with 11 players is tough enough - never mind 10," said Ternent.

"I am not quite sure about all these rules. It was a handball, Gordon said so, and the penalty was right.

"But in that situation maybe a yellow card would have been more appropriate.

"To me we have been punished with a penalty but then punished twice with the sending off, but nevertheless, that is what has been given and we have to grin and bear it.

The punishment wasn't instant as Clarets keeper Nik Michopoulos saved Kevin Horlock's spot kick, but over time City's power proved too much for the under-manned home side and a hat-trick from Shaun Goater and a goal from his strike partner Paolo Wanchope settled the issue.

Keegan was quick to praise the performance of the Clarets under pressure, but for Ternent it was just disappointing that he could not meet City on equal terms.

If Kevin has said he thought we played well then I appreciate that, but we were always likely to be in trouble with 10 men," said Ternent.

"Once we went two on two at the back we were always liable to get caught out by their front two.

"We had our chances like when Glen Little hit the bar, had that gone in we would have been a goal up and perhaps more comfortable and got something out of the game.

"That is really the biggest disappointment is that we did not get anything out of the game in terms of points.

"When you are down to 10 then the character shows through, but we needed it to be 11 against 11."

Burnley now turn their eyes towards the clash with Bradford City, who have a 100 per cent record in their three games, at Valley Parade on Sunday.

The Clarets appeared to have no additional injury worries after the clash with the Sky Blues, but will wait on Republic of Ireland winger Alan Moore who missed last night's game due to a stomach muscle strain.