BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle was determined to look at the positives, despite having their play-off advantage trimmed back to four points following yesterday’s 3-1 loss at Cardiff City.

Wins for Swansea and Preston – their nearest challengers for a top six spot – compounded the sixth-placed Clarets’ disappointment at Ninian Park, where Ross McCormack scored a second brace in three days to kill the game off soon after Robbie Blake had cancelled out Jay Bothroyd’s opener.

Coyle felt the scoreline was generous, but admitted his players had been punished for lapses in concentration.

However, the Scot stressed he would concentrate on the positives of a solid first 74 minutes, before the promotion chasing Bluebirds broke the deadlock.

“We are in the same position we were in before the Bank Holiday and if somebody had said to me at the start of the season we would be four points clear (now), then we would have taken that," said Coyle.

"We have to concentrate on what we can do and if we do that, it will serve us well.

"I think what you do recognise in this league is that you cannot switch off for a second and I am disappointed in the manner of the goals we lost.

"We controlled the game for large periods and looked very comfortable.

"We restricted them to very few opportunities, but the first one was basic defending from a throw in, even though their lad has put in a top quality finish.

"We got back in with an equaliser and straight from the kick-off we have switched off again from a long ball put through.

"It was naïve at best and I have let the players know that.

"I don’t know if it was two games in 48 hours, but the concentration levels have to be at the maximum at this level."

He added: "They (Cardiff) are a good side, but we have more than matched them so there was a lot to be pleased about, but I am just disappointed by the goals to be honest.

"We will dust ourselves down and look to bounce back quickly."