BEFORE the game I expect most would have taken a point from a tricky trip to Birmingham City.

Certainly before the derby you’d have taken four points from a possible six, and if that meant ending the hoodoo against Blackburn Rovers with a long-awaited win and then settling for a draw at St Andrew’s so be it.

It’s the circumstances which it occurred in that make the outcome of Wednesday’s game all the more frustrating – taking the lead three times and then conceding a stoppage-time equaliser with a handball in the build-up that the referee missed.

So many of those big decisions have gone against us, but we cannot wallow in disappointment. Sean Dyche would not allow it for starters. And that’s where the manager is especially good.

Instead of coming out and ranting and raving about an injustice after the Birmingham game, he made short reference to it but quickly moved on and saw merit in the point instead of being hung up on the two that got away.

A 10-point gap would have been fantastic at this stage, but an eight-point advantage is still extremely healthy, and something we must look to build on at home to Leeds United tomorrow.

They’ve had some funny results recently and shown their vulnerability by conceding nine goals in their last two games – both at home.

Brian McDermott will be looking for a response from his players, but we have been strong at home and I don’t see a reason why, having gone a full 365-plus days without a home defeat we can’t now see that through to the end of the season.

No matter what, Leeds always manage to raise their game for a trip to the Turf, and they will be backed by a massive following.

But the Burnley boys will get a heroes’ welcome by the home fans for beating Blackburn, and hopefully that will inspire them to kick on, finish the job and use bragging rights as the springboard to the Premier League.

Fingers crossed Danny Ings will be involved tomorrow.

But if he isn’t 100 per cent fit after going off with an ankle injury on Wednesday then it is not worth the risk when there are still some big games coming up.

We have Ashley Barnes ready and waiting for his first start and he can do a job alongside Sam Vokes.