A DRAW that prior to the game would have been deemed a good result. But after the penalty pain of the dramatic late stages at Turf Moor, the stalemate will be remembered as what should have been for Sunderland.

The Black Cats can only hope the two points lost on Friday night won’t prove costly come May.

One point would have been celebrated until the bonkers finale, with Wilson Isidor missing not one but two penalties in the dying minutes, twice denied by James Trafford.

For Burnley, there will have been a sense of justice after the first missed spot-kick, for CJ Egan-Riley’s foul on the striker was just outside the box. But Sunderland were frustrated that Trafford wasn’t penalised for his antics when he took off his gloves and delayed – and then saved – Isidor’s effort.

And that frustration deepened when Trafford, a long-time transfer target for Sunderland’s arch-rivals Newcastle, saved a second Isidor penalty deep in stoppage time when Dennis Cirkin had been fouled.

Distraught Isidor was consoled by staff as he made his way off the pitch at full-time, while Dan Neil urged the away end to support the striker, which they did.

Against a Burnley side that are now unbeaten in 14 games and haven’t yet lost at home this season, a draw, before the game, would have been seen as a success. But it was the Clarets celebrating at full-time.

When the dust settles, Sunderland will take confidence from the fact they again showed that they have the class and steel to trade punches in the automatic promotion race.

Regis Le Bris’ side have now played five games against the three teams above them so far this season and lost only once, and that was at Sheffield United, when, for long stages, they were hugely impressive and desperately unfortunate to leave Bramall Lane empty handed.

After the frustration of the late dropped points at Blackburn and Stoke in the week after Christmas, Sunderland have bounced back with seven points from nine, all the more impressive considering two of the opponents have been direct rivals in Sheffield United and Burnley. But it should have been nine. Next comes a trip to lowly Derby and a home game against bottom club Plymouth. Opportunities.

After the excitement of Enzo Le Fee’s signing came the question as to how Regis Le Bris would manage to get all of his top midfield talent in the same team together. Le Fee is comfortable playing as a number six, eight and 10, said Le Bris. Given the head coach’s high praise, it was no surprise to see the new recruit go straight into the starting XI. What wasn’t widely predicted, however, was that he’d start on the left side of the attack. It might not be his natural role but his debut was impressive: disciplined in the first half before his influence grew after the break. There was one sublime pass for Isidor before a shot from distance that was deflected wide.

Sunderland were also lifted by the return of Dan Ballard on the bench but as is so often the case a boost came with a blow: Chris Mepham was forced off injured late on.

Burnley’s 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light back in August was one of only two league losses so far this season for the Clarets, but Scott Parker wrote off that Wearside setback, claiming this week his side were in a “state” at the time amid uncertainty over the future of several players.

On the pitch, they’ve been a picture of stability so far this season, by no means a thrilling watch but rock solid and the hardest team to beat in the division. Remarkably, they’d conceded just nine goals in 26 games prior to Sunderland’s visit, and only four at Turf Moor. Breaching Burnley’s formidable backline is one of the ultimate Championship challenges.

Turf Moor regulars have been used to watching efficient rather than exciting football this season, but the Clarets were easy on the eye early on against Sunderland and caused the visitors problems. Jaidon Anthony down the right was particularly lively, getting the better of Dennis Cirkin on several occasions in the opening quarter of an hour and coming closest to an opener when his low drive was superbly tipped around the post by Anthony Patterson.

Sunderland, though, settled down, got a grip of things and started to fizz the ball about themselves. And while they didn’t manage a shot on target in the first half an hour, they at least gave Burnley’s formidable backline something to think about. James Trafford needed to scamper off his line and only just beat Isidor in a race to a Rigg through-ball before the striker hit a fierce volley just over. Trafford used his speed of thought to avert further Isidor danger later in the half when he calmly dribbled around the striker who tried to press the keeper into a mistake. The keeper did have to pick the ball out of the net just after the half hour mark but only after Rigg had been flagged offside.

Zian Flemming missed a good chance for Burnley at the start of the second half, then Isidor missed an even better one at the other end. And what a moment it would have been for Le Fee had the striker hit the net instead of the outside of the post, for it was the midfielder who teed him up with a quite stunning pass from the left after gliding past Connor Roberts with ease to make space for himself.

Isidor twice had chance to make amends but it was a painful finale for the striker and Sunderland.