Burnley midfielder Alan Mahon has revealed the secret to his opening goal was precision not power.

The Republic of Ireland international calmly slotted past Gabor Kiraly to put Burnley ahead at Selhurst Park.

Steve Jones worked his magic on the wing and 28-year-old Mahon applied the finishing touch to a move that began in the Clarets penalty area.

He said: "We started off really well and it was a game we should have won.

"Jones has got it on the left hand side and laid it back to me nicely.

"And instead of trying to take the leather off it like I usually do I caressed it in.

"I've had a couple of shots early in the game that have kind of gone a bit wayward but on that occasion it came to my nicely so I just managed to control it and put it in.

"I've had a bit of stick for missing but that's just a part of my game and if you don't shoot you don't score.

"Getting a goal is good for my confidence but it's also also a big thing to get the goal away from home especially against a club like Crystal Palace.

"Unfortunately it wasn't good enough for the win but a draw's good for us and good for our confidence."

Mahon admitted the previous two matches had been disappointing from a personal point of view and said the side had gone out to prove a point to the manager and the fans.

"For me personally I've let myself down in the last two games. It was important for me to do well today.

"I managed to get a goal but I also managed to be part of a team that looked confident and comfortable on the ball.

"We need to take as much as we can from this game on the back of the last two games where we haven't done that well as a team.

"We needed to correct it ourselves. It's not the manager, it's not his fault, it's down to the players.

"We needed to pull our finger out."