Clarets boss Stan Ternent is hoping for a change of luck when Watford visit Turf Moor tomorrow night.

"We didn't get a break all afternoon against Portsmouth, we scored a fantastic goal then the luck went against us," he complained.

"A shot that was going nowhere got stuck between Peter Crouch's feet and he then stuck it away."

Crouch's freak goal denied the Clarets the chance to return to second spot in the first division but he knows that a victory against Gianluca Vialli's side will be enough to put them right behind leaders Wolves. Ternent said: "I thought we deserved all three points against Portsmouth but we all know you don't always get what you deserve in football."

Pompey's equaliser came three minutes after Gareth Taylor had headed Burnley in front and the Wales international echoed his manager's thoughts.

"We're disappointed not to have won, I thought we were by far the better team," he said. "We've played worse this season and got three points.

"We had a lot of possession of the ball and I think at times we over played a bit."

"We knew they would be dangerous and we had to keep Peter Crouch out, but we didn't have the breaks today."

The league is tight and one win can push you up to second or third.

"We have to keep getting points to keep hanging in there."

But despite the disappointment of dropping two points at home Ternent remained upbeat and his message ahead of tomorrow's match is a positive one.

"I told the players they are doing particularly well and I am very happy with them," he said.

"I am not so much disappointed with the result, more frustrated.

"But as long as we keep picking points up we will be okay."

Skipper Steve Davis was once again sidelined by a knee injury but Ternent was able to enjoy another hugely impressive display by French defender Arthur Gnohere.

"Arthur played exceptionally well and you can see that the crowd has really taken to him," he said.

"He is still only 22 and hopefully he has a very big future. But we talk about a squad here.

"I don't know if Steve will be available for the game against Watford, we will just have to wait and see."

In the absence of Davis, Paul Cook was once again given the captain's armband and he was praised by scorer Taylor for his part in the Clarets goal.

"It was another great ball from Paul Cook," he said. "It's a striker's dream."

It was the second successive game that Taylor dived full length to convert a ball from the left from Cook to give his side the lead.

But from his position at the other end of the pitch, Taylor was able to admire the contribution of Burnley's Greek keeper Nik Michopoulos and he claimed: "Nik has made three world class saves."

Like Burnley, Watford were held 1-1 at home at the weekend and they were just as disappointed after failing to beat bottom side Stockport County.

The match with the Hornets is the third successive home game for the Clarets and, after one win and one draw, Ternent just hopes that the breaks that went against them on Saturday will go for them tomorrow.