Scott Parker bemoans key Burnley flaw in Hull City draw

Scott Parker was left scratching his head at Burnley’s “sloppiness” as they slipped three points behind Sky Bet Championship leaders Sunderland following a 1-1 draw at Hull City on Wednesday evening.

Having kept four successive clean sheets, Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford conceded before half-time at MKM Stadium after being wrong-footed by Xavier Simons’ deflected strike from the edge of the box, as City deservedly hit the front after an encouraging first half showing.

Burnley rallied, and Zian Flemming headed home in the 77th minute following a cross from Jaidon Anthony, who, in the final moments, tripped and miscued from a few yards out with the goal gaping, sparing City's blushes after they failed to clear.

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Parker was proud of the resolve his side showed after going behind, but there was a hint of frustration at not walking away from East Yorkshire with all three points following Sunderland’s win at Luton.

“A little bit disappointed when we missed that massive chance,” Parker said. “Jaidon slipped and it looked like a stonewall goal. There was just a real sloppiness in our final bit, a lot of turnovers in certain moments, the basics let us down a little bit, which can happen. In certain moments we lacked a little something.

“But I was absolutely delighted with the team in the second half. This is a team that have not conceded a goal in four games and a number of hours. You’re going to concede goals in this division.

“The second half proved every bit what I want us to be, there was a relentlessness about us. We gave ourselves a bit of an uphill task and we’ve managed to get out of here with a point.”

Burnley are back up to second in the table, leapfrogging Leeds on goal difference, after they extended their unbeaten sequence to eight matches thanks to on-loan Millwall striker Flemming. The Dutchman moved to Turf Moor at the end of August and has slowly been regaining full fitness after a pre-season injury, and he bagged his first Burnley goal on Tuesday evening.

“He’s been absolutely superb since he’s walked in,” Parker added. “You’ve seen his quality in the last two games, this is someone who has not had a pre-season. We have had to take care of him.

“I was really concerned about playing him because he’s come off a long lay-off. It’s a quick turnaround (from Saturday’s win over Sheffield Wednesday) but he gave us everything and deserved his goal.”