GEORGE Boyd is adamant he deserved a penalty for a foul by Jose Fonte in the first half of Burnley’s defeat at Southampton.

The winger went down after Fonte clipped his ankle with the score still 0-0 at St Mary’s - an incident which came during a spell when the Clarets were on top.

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But referee Roger East waved away the spot kick appeals, denying Sean Dyche’s side the chance to take the lead, and Burnley were soon a goal down.

But Boyd, last week’s match winner, is certain he deserved a penalty.

He said: “Definitely. I’ve checked him and I’ve got a chance of shooting.

“He’s stamped on my foot, so it’s disappointing.”

During an entertaining first half Sam Vokes had two shots saved by substitute goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who also saved smartly from Danny Ings.

Those saves proved crucial, and Boyd felt Burnley were unfortunate not to get at least a point.

“Maybe they shaded it second half, but we had some great chances in the first half and we’re disappointed not at least get a point,” he said.

Ronald Koeman’s decision to introduce Victor Wanyama at half time in place of Dusan Tadic stemmed the tide of Burnley attacks, but Boyd insists there are things to build on ahead of successive home fixtures against Tottenham and Arsenal.

“We didn’t create as much as we did first half but there’s loads of positives and we go again next week into two huge games,” he said.

Burnley were also grateful for late winners for Swansea, at Aston Villa, and West Ham, against Sunderland, which meant they didn’t lose ground in the race for survival.