ADRIAN Heath was fuming after he left the Goldstone Ground empty-handed last night feeling his side had been robbed of a share of the points.
The Clarets had a Paul Mahorn goal ruled out for offside, a penalty appeal turned down when Kurt Nogan was caught by the Brighton keeper and a Peter Swan header that the players felt had crossed the line.
"The Mahorn goal was very disappointing," said Heath after his side's 1-0 defeat at Brighton's Goldstone Ground last night.
"Gerry (Harrison) had taken the ball to the bye-line and cut it back and yet he gave offside.
"I went to see the referee afterwards about it.
"The players all felt Swan's header had crossed the line and we had a good shout for a penalty when Kurt was pulled down by their keeper.
"But these are the type of thing that don't seem to go for you when things are against you."
But a resilient Heath remained upbeat despite his side's continued slide.
"Everything went to plan - apart from winning the game.
"We had several good opportunities in the second half.
"Brighton took their chance and that is a disappointing aspect from our point of view.
"The performance warranted more than what we got.
"I've been critical of the team lately, but we dominated the game for long periods and I cannot criticise the players.
"Their effort and application was first class.
"Jimmy Case apologised to me after the game.
"I think maybe the position we are in is playing on peoples' minds."
David Eyres missed the game after going down with a virus and Paul Smith replaced him.
As expected their were recalls for Liam Robinson and Alan Harper.
Heath's men remain just one point and one place above the drop zone - far too close for comfort.
But they have two games in hand over their nearest threat Carlisle.
And, while Brighton will be boosted by their three points, they are still stranded in the bottom four along with Jan Molby's Swansea, who lost 3-1 at Bournemouth last night.
Burnley have seven games left but still face trips to high flying Notts County and Swindon.
Heath-who has seen his men win just once since he took charge on March 7-remains confident about Burnley's prospects.
But he feels victory over Peterborough at Turf Moor on Saturday is now essential.
"It's still very much in our hands," he said.
"There were encouraging signs last night and although we lost, the quality is there to lift us clear.
"It's an improvement in our performance and we're confident about facing Peterborough. We'll win if we can play like this."
Kurt Nogan is not in the Welsh squad for their friendly against Switzerland in Lugano on April 24.
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