Football’s capacity to flip reality on its head is unquestionably one of its more appealing traits.

And nowhere on Saturday afternoon did it manifest itself with more drama than at The Circle.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Burnley had put in their by now trademark defensive shambles of a performance, were two down to Hull and staring down the barrel of a fifth successive league defeat and a place in the bottom three.

Few would have blamed any Claret for making an early exit.

Fewer still would have predicted an Edgar brace and a late winner from the local hero.

Angry Tigers pointed the finger at Nick Barmby, claiming the withdrawal of a winger for a defender just prior to Burnley’s astonishing resurrection was the catalyst for City’s collapse.

Yet that one-eyed view sells the Clarets somewhat short and refuses to take into account their resilience, determination and team spirit.

For the last 15 minutes, at least, this did not look like a side accepting relegation as their fate.

Still, although Saturday’s comeback was inspirational and incredible, it was also unlikely and freakish.

And only a fool would imagine that Burnley are not embroiled in a scrap to avoid dropping into League One.

Eddie Howe’s post-match contention that “we’ve earned a little bit of long overdue luck” was erroneous and misleading.

There was nothing fortuitous about the way Leeds’ Robert Snodgrass took advantage of Brian Easton’s statuesque defending, nothing fortunate in the way Birmingham’s David Murphy was allowed to slalom past Ross Wallace, Kieran Trippier and Andre Amagou to set up the Blues’ late winner and capricious whim did not smile down upon Matty Fryatt as he watched Lee Grant comically flap a hand at his shot to gift-wrap the hosts’ second goal.

All these goals were the result of rank bad defending.

With an extensive catalogue of self-inflicted goals against this term, it has been evident for some time that reinforcements have been required.

And one cannot help but wonder whether Burnley’s inactivity in the loan market will yet come back to haunt them.

Was Eddie Howe right to keep his powder dry? We will find out soon enough; starting tonight.