RATHER appropriately, Burnley must be forgiven for thinking they have been 'Sent to Coventry'.

The centuries-old phrase - which dates back to the English Civil War - was coined to describe those that are shunned, ostracised or ignored.

Ignored is certainly how Steve Cotterill's side are feeling on the issue of penalties.

For a second successive Saturday, the Clarets have conceded a crucial spot-kick on the road, and on both occasions, felt harshly treated.

At Ipswich, Gifton Noel-Williams was penalised for handball, although the giant striker was convinced he was pushed in the process.

Back then, Burnley players surrounded the referee contesting the late decision.

Fast forward seven days and it was almost Groundhog Day at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

Over half a dozen furious Clarets players circled Mike Thorpe in protest after the official pointed to the spot for John McGreal's high challenge on Dele Adebola.

They were certain McGreal won the ball from the former Clarets striker, but Thorpe was having none of it.

Within 10 minutes of Colin Cameron smashing home from 12 yards, Burnley were up in arms again - this time in the opposite box when Robert Page's blatant wrestling of Noel-Williams went unpunished.

It certainly leaves the question begging - when will Burnley ever land a penalty?

They are without one in the calendar year. It is almost a year ago, on New Year's Eve against Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor, since one went in their favour.

A total of 43 competitive games have been played since Garreth O'Connor despatched the spot-kick hours before Big Ben chimed to signal in 2006.

Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Cotterill's men as Cameron's sweetly struck penalty ultimately proved the difference between the two sides in a largely enthralling contest.

A further blow to Burnley came in the shape of bookings shown to James O'Connor and Jon Harley.

Both were walking suspension tightropes after collecting four yellow cards and now they will miss next Saturday's Turf Moor clash with Sunderland for picking up a fifth.

Similar to the draw at Portman Road, it was a tale of two halves for Burnley, who enjoyed a far better opening 45 minutes than City despite the hosts grabbing the lead.

Not for the first time on their travels this season, they held the supremacy in terms of possession and quality of football.

Although livewire Adebola and Leon McKenzie caused a few headaches, Burnley's defence was untroubled and it was Andy Marshall proving the busier of the two goalkeepers.

It only needed a goal to send them on their way - and with the midfield, led excellently by O'Connor and Chris McCann, driving Burnley on - it looked increasingly likely that the Clarets would break the deadlock.

But too many chances went begging, as Kyle Lafferty, Noel-Williams and especially Steve Jones failed to find a route past in-form Marshall.

Burnley also landed three or four free-kicks outside the box, all from a decent distance on goal, but the visitors were missing that vital clinical edge.

Cotterill stuck to an unchanged line-up, making just one selection alteration to his 16-man squad, with Graham Branch taking Brian Jensen's place on the substitutes bench.

Initially, the Sky Blues came charging out at the visitors and both captain Wayne Thomas and O'Connor were alert to clear away two dangerous moves.

But gradually, Burnley took the ascendancy and their first bright move arguably opened up the best clear-cut opening of the afternoon.

From Harley's deflected cross, McCann fed Jones into the clear with Marshall to beat.

The good money was on Jones to end a run of 12 matches without a goal.

But Marshall won the contest, spreading himself large to beat away the angled shot.

Noel-Williams, making his 50th Burnley appearance, proved a real handful for Page and the Welsh international was guilty on several occasions of using foul means to stop the big man.

Strength on the ball is Noel-Williams' major asset, but it was his movement and fleet of foot that caused problems for the Welsh international.

Noel-Williams combined delightfully with Harley down the left flank to free Jones into the box.

The lively winger opened up for a bottom corner finish, but Marshall stooped low for an easy take.

At this point, the Clarets were on top, so it was against the run of play that Coventry snatched the lead moments later from the spot.

Stern John flicked the ball over his shoulder into the penalty box and McGreal was penalised for a high challenge on Adebola.

Referee Thorpe pointed to the spot, although at first the Suffolk official seemingly shook his head to suggest grounded Adebola was making a meal of it.

The decision prompted fury from half a dozen Burnley players and once the protests finished, Cameron made no mistake smashing the penalty into the top left corner.

The Clarets were unlucky to trail after outperforming the hosts, but they showed an encouraging response after falling behind.

Wayne Thomas' low shot ricocheted off the heels of Noel-Williams and Lafferty's 20-yard strike fizzed straight at Marshall as the visitors pressed.

Page was then extremely lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for manhandling Noel-Williams.

Thorpe waved play on and left Burnley doubly frustrated a few moments later when blowing up for a soft foul by Page outside the box.

Jones was a whisker wide with two identical 25-yard efforts, one direct from a set-piece, as City were forced to soak up the pressure before the break.

The Sky Blues, fortunate with their half-time lead, came out of their dressing room a better team, putting Burnley on the back foot.

Darren Currie almost doubled City's lead with a right foot effort that curled just wide and then the woodwork saved the Clarets.

McKenzie sped inside Harley from the right and unleashed a dipping left foot shot that rattled the crossbar.

Coyne later foiled McKenzie from a tight angle and John dragged a shot wide from 12 yards.

Burnley survived as the hosts tried to tie up three points and, as the contest continued to flow, Lafferty slipped Noel-Williams into the City penalty box.

But the big man could not find a path to goal as Page blocked his effort.

Page was then denied at the opposite end, when his far post header from Currie's cross was magnificently tipped wide by Coyne.

By this time, Branch and Alan Mahon were thrown on as Burnley piled numbers forward.

Lafferty looked to grab the limelight late on, as he did with a thumping 20-yard finish at Ipswich.

But Marshall was down to beat away the teenager's rocket shot.