MICHAEL Appleton believes David Dunn's late derby leveller can prove a catalyst for Blackburn Rovers' season finale.

Dunn cancelled out Jason Shackell's first half header in injury time to earn Rovers a 1-1 draw and preserve their 34-year unbeaten run against their bitter rivals.

Appleton said: "I thought for the effort alone in the second half and the boys keeping their discipline where Burnley lost theirs, we stayed patient.

"The crowd at times were willing us to put the ball in the box but when you have centre halves as big as theirs it is not that easy.

"We stayed patient, luckily we kept Dunny on the pitch, and hopefully that can be a catalyst for the next two or three games.

"If we concentrate on what we are doing as team, there are a lot of things that have gone against us, and we have to focus on ourselves.

"There was a bit of panic but the players kept going and hopefully that wqill be a catalyst for the next nine games.

"I hope that feels like the biggest defeat Burnley have ever had because we have to be selfish in the way we think. The lads have gone into the dressing room as high as kites, it was fitting it was a local lad who did it for us."