STAN Ternent has put Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Grimsby behind him and vowed to prepare his troops for the crunch battle against Coventry City on Sunday.

Lee Briscoe's last gasp goal at Blundell Park ensured that the Clarets clung on to the final play-off spot by virtue of having scored more goals than Norwich with whom they share both points and goal difference.

The Burnley boss admitted: "We don't do things the easy way and it is a real shame because it should never have come to this.

"But the fact is that we are still sixth and we have to go out and try and win on Sunday.

"We will do our best and we will stay positive, we always are.

"It will be a long week because of what happened at Grimsby but it is a game we have to win.

"Nothing changes because I said all along that it would go right to the wire and that is what has happened.

"We'll regroup and look forward to playing Coventry. We have got one or two knocks but we have a few days to get over them.

"The best we can get is 75 points and if we can get to that then we will see.

"When you run out of matches you just have to try and pick points up.

"The fact is that since Christmas we have not been as prolific as we were before.

"But whatever happens the players have done really well this season and it would be a crying shame for them if they couldn't get in the play-offs and give themselves another chance.

"They are more than capable of winning the game against Coventry and we just have to hope that will be enough."

Ternent knows that if his side matches any win that Norwich record against bottom side Stockport on Sunday they will be up. In addition both Millwall and Birmingham City are within sight if results go the right way.

Having taken 50 points from the first 25 games, and leading the table on New Year's Day, Ternent is right that it should never have come to this nail-biting, nerve-jangling, heart-stopping climax.

It is likely to be an anxious afternoon for the home fans but Ternent knows they will have a massive part to play in any success against the Sky Blues. He is hoping they can show the same level support as the 2,300 Clarets who travelled to Grimsby.

"The fans were absolutely fantastic on Saturday," he said. "But to be fair they always are although I never take it for granted."

Absolutely nothing can be taken for granted now. The next six days will seem like six years, the finishing line agonisingly close but looking to be a million miles away at the same time.

Ternent is telling his men to forget any recent disappointments and focus on the only thing that matters - beating Coventry City. That is all he can control, the Clarets fate will then rest with the footballing gods!