DEFIANT Burnley manager Owen Coyle has urged his players to 'keep the faith' in an effort to end their run of home games without a win.

The Clarets failed at the seventh attempt yesterday, but came back from a controversial goal to earn a point against Sheffield Wednesday in their Boxing Day showdown, with Ade Akinbiyi scoring his fifth of the season to equalise.

And Coyle praised the battling qualities his depleted squad showed in rising above their perceived injustive, after Gabor Kiraly wasn't given the opportunity to defend a 30th-minute penalty.

Referee Scott Mathieson signalled for the spot-kick to be taken before the Burnley goalkeeper had got into position after cleaning his boots.

"It probably was a penalty, but I think it would be nice when you're goalkeeper's allowed to defend it," said Coyle.

"I think it was clear for everybody. All goalkeepers go to clean their boots on the post to get the mud off that's stuck to their studs normally, and he had his back to the goal.

"I don't want to get caught up talking about non-football things, but the easiest thing, for me, is to say goalkeeper, are you ready?' and then blow your whistle. I just think it's common sense.

"I asked the referee about that (at half-time), quite calmly - because there's nothing we can do about it - it was gone at that point, and that was the only point I had to make.

"If Gabor was there, the lad might well have scored, but equally he might not.

"All we're asking for is an opportunity to defend the penalty.

"It never happened so we went on from that and bounced back.

"We had plenty of time to go and win the game, so there's no excuses with that.

"It happened, he gave them the penalty, they scored it, we bounced back.

"If I was a player out there I'd have felt aggrieved, and that's what you want - you want people to show that character.

"But I know we've got in our dressing room.

"I've got to credit them again for the endeavour, desire and application they showed without setting the hair on fire in terms of football.

"I thought we showed great character to bounce back quickly.

"I felt we took it on but we didn't get to the heights that we're capable of, but I felt we probably just did enough to win the match.

"But bearing in mind we've got an awful lot of players missing through injury and suspension, all credit to the lads who came in. They acquitted themselves very well."

But Coyle was disappointed not to make more of their second-half chances.

"We had a few opportunities that could have resulted in goals.

"There were good crosses into the box, the keeper had a save and others were blocked, and there were a few melees," he said.

"I felt we dictated the pace, particularly in the second half.

"It was hard fought, there was certainly plenty of effort and endeavour but I don't think we were as fluent as we have been in previous games.

"I just felt our decision making could have been better, in the final third in terms of weight of pass and where the pass went and a little cutting edge.

"Having said that, they worked ever so hard."

And the Burnley boss believes, if their hard work continues, they will soon reap the rewards.

"I've said to the players they've got to keep believing what we're doing, keep passing and moving it," he said.

"I think we can do that better than what we did today.

"But it will be nice, if we get a full compliment of players back and we're seen at our very best.

"We just need to keep working hard. There's no magic fairy dust that you sprinkle.

"It's just coming in and working hard, making the correct decisions and taking it on from there.

"It's only round the corner. I really believe that."