GRAHAM Alexander missed a penalty as Burnley were held to a goalless draw at home to Bristol City in this afternoon's Championship fixture at Turf Moor.

Alexander had previously converted 74 penalties during his career but he fired his first-half spot kick wide as the Clarets could not get the goal they needed to secure all three points.

Jay Rodriguez's header forced an early save from David James and Burnley were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute when Chris Eagles' clever pass found Tyrone Mears and the advancing full back was tripped by Marvin Elliott.

Penalty specialist Alexander stepped up to take the spot kick but drilled it wide of the right-hand post.

James then kept out an Alexander free kick, also saving the rebound from Jack Cork, as the game remained scoreless at half time.

Bristol City came close at the start of the second period as Elliott's shot deflected off Mears and forced a save out of Brian Jensen, but Burnley continued to have the better of the game and Cole Skuse turned the ball against his own bar as he attempted to stop Rodriguez getting a shot in.

Eagles then saw a shot saved by James and another curling effort went just wide before Chris Iwelumo came close from two corners.

The striker's first effort was deflected into the side netting before he headed narrowly wide from the next set piece.

Burnley: Brian Jensen; Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Andre Bikey, Danny Fox; Wade Elliott, Graham Alexander (Dean Marney 62), Jack Cork; Chris Eagles, Chris Iwelumo (Steven Thompson 75), Jay Rodriguez (Ross Wallace 79). Subs not used: Lee Grant, Michael Duff, Leon Cort, Martin Paterson.

Bristol City: David James; Christian Ribeiro, Louis Carey, Liam Fontaine, Jamie McAllister; Albert Adomah, Marvin Elliott, Cole Skuse, Danny Rose, Danny Haynes (Jamal Campbell-Ryce 55); Jon Stead. Subs not used: Dean Gerken, Damion Stewart, Lee Johnson, Ivan Sproule, David Clarkson, Brett Pitman.

Referee: Scott Mathieson.

Attendance: 14,540.