MICHAEL Kightly says the strong mentality instilled by manager Sean Dyche is what helped Burnley fight back against Millwall.

The Clarets trailed for only the second time in the league this season – the first resulting in their only defeat, at Brighton.

But Kightly insists the strength of character the Championship leaders showed to recover from 2-0 down at The Den to draw 2-2 and stretch their unbeaten league run to 10 games has filtered down from Dyche.

“We’re an honest group and have an honest manager who won’t let any of the lads drop,” said the winger, who is seeking credit for the equaliser, despite Millwall substitute Shane Lowry making the final touch.

“He got into us at half-time and I think that showed in the second half.”

Table topping Burnley found themselves in unfamiliar territory this season when they trailed 2-0 after 38 minutes.

Sam Vokes reduced the deficit a minute after the home side had doubled their advantage with his ninth of the season, before the equaliser came 10 minutes into the second half.

The Clarets could have gone on to win it but Scott Arfield was denied by the post and Vokes' penalty appeals when he went down under Paul Robinson’s challenge in going for the rebound were dismissed.

Kightly admitted the players were disappointed not to take all three points in the end, but remain mindful of the progress being made this season.

“With the players we’ve got in the squad and the character we’ve got we always knew we could get back in the game and we got back in it quickly,” said the wide man, who is on a season-long loan from Stoke City.

“We said at half-time that if we got the next goal we could go on to win it and we were unlucky not to really.

“I wasn’t here last year but the boys were saying they probably would have lost that game last year, and that’s the difference.

“The gaffer’s installed a winning mentality, and long may that continue.

“I think he’s showing how good he is with what he’s getting out of the lads.”

He added: “We’ve not been used to (trailing) and it showed good character from us.

“We’ve got a really good togetherness here and we want to keep it going.”

Meanwhile, Kightly hopes to be awarded his first goal for the Clarets after a review.

“Someone said they’ve given it an own goal. I think it was just on target, maybe hitting the post, so I’ve got to claim that.

“If they’ve given their goal to (Danny) Shittu I’ve got to claim mine,” said the 27-year-old, in reference to Millwall’s second goal taking a wicked deflection off Vokes.

“It’s nice to get off the mark.”