PHOTOS: Blackburn Rovers 1, Burnley 1

As the Burnley fans dared to believe they could finally celebrate a win over the old enemy, 34 years after they last tasted victory, they were hit by the cruellest blow imaginable.

Not only was it dyed in the wool Blue David Dunn who salvaged a point for Blackburn right in front of the away end - who taunted him for his tears after the FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat in midweek - but to make matters worse, the equaliser, in the fifth minute of injury time, was two yards off-side.

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On the whistle, it almost felt worse than the 5-0 reverse here on April Fool’s Day 12 years ago.

Burnley, down to 10 men just after the hour mark after a second rash challenge from Ben Mee, had been the better side up to that point, but dropped deeper and deeper.

With Lee Grant a spectator in front of the Darwen End, the Clarets looked like holding on to the slender advantage skipper Jason Shackell had given them just after the half hour.

However, that man Dunn - who had previously scored in three derbies - would have the last say, with his first goal of the season.

His celebrations were ill-advised given the nature of the rivalry, but it said it all about Rovers’ fall from grace that it meant so much to avoid the ignominy of losing to Burnley, that drawing at home against 10 men prompted such delirium among the otherwise muted, sparsely-populated home stands.

It might be 34 years since Burnley beat Blackburn, but it’s three and counting since the Clarets lost to their rivals, and on the basis of the two games this season, and league position, the tables are turning.

It would be nice to end the season above Rovers to give the fans something to brag about at least - but both sides need to improve to ensure they are to meet next term.

For Burnley, it is now one win in 10, while Blackburn have three points from 21 and are four points above the drop zone.

Neither side went into the game in good form, but Burnley were looking for successive away wins for the second time in 2013, and made by far the more accomplished start.

Shackell couldn’t guide a Ross Wallace free kick towards goal when well-placed after just two minutes, while Charlie Austin volleyed over Alex Kacaniklic’s cross.

Jordan Rhodes wanted a penalty when Michael Duff connected with a high foot in the area, but referee Andy D’Urso was having none of it.

Burnley continued to look the more likely against an uninspired home side, and Mee sent Kacaniklic down the left, with Chris McCann’s dummy creating space, and from the Swede’s pull back, Martin Paterson controlled and connected well with a volley, forcing a fine save from Jake Kean.

From the corner, the Clarets tried their trademark routine - low from Wallace, and a dummy giving Austin time and space from 12 yards out, but he got under the ball and fired over.

Wallace then had a 30-yarder beaten away by Kean.

Burnley had to take advantage of their superiority, and when Marvin Bartley was upended, Wallace flighted over the free kick, Shackell rose highest and headed against the post, but was the first to react to side-foot in the rebound.

It was a deserved lead, and there was little response from Rovers.

Austin sent a looping header over from a Kieran Trippier cross, before Grant Hanley clattered into Paterson from behind, before getting involved in some afters with Bartley.

Hanley received a booking for his troubles, and was almost punished further as Wallace’s free kick beat Kean’s left hand, but hit the post.

Rovers’ only threat of the half came in injury time as Dunn sent a half volley over the top after picking up a loose ball.

The home side were booed off at the break, and you expected a response.

Michael Appleton replaced the ineffective £3m man Leon Best with Josh Morris and went 4-5-1 to get Dunn central from his right midfield berth, and try and stop Burnley’s dominance in the centre.

Rhodes came to life for the only time in the game, rolling Shackell from Dunn’s pass, but he sent his left-foot shot high and wide.

Mee picked up his first booking for a foul on Dunn - entirely justified, but Dunn saw the challenge coming and made the most of it.

Austin then headed against the post from a Paterson cross, but was flagged off-side.

Moments later Mee over-committed in a challenge on Hanley, and was dismissed.

As Dyche tried to re-organise, McCann went to left back, and was alert enough to clear a Martin Olsson cross with Rhodes poised for a tap-in.

Wallace made way for Danny Lafferty, with Paterson switching to the right, but without his lung-bursting runs to close defenders down, Rovers found it easier to get out from the back.

However, the sides should have been evened up again when Hanley cuffed Trippier off the ball, and went unpunished.

The sides swapped bookings, Scott Dann for a foul on Kacaniklic, and Lafferty for a wild swing at Dunn, before Sam Vokes replaced Paterson, who had given his all for the cause.

The Clarets defended the 18-yard box well, making block after block, with Grant superbly protected, and they found time to break, with Vokes teeing up fellow substitute Danny Ings, who shot over from the corner of the area.

The fourth official’s board signalled an extra six minutes - with Burnley scratching their heads.

When Rovers’ first shot on target all afternoon came, in the fourth minute of injury time, it was a tame effort from right back Todd Kane.

But a minute later, Stewart’s cross took a fortunate deflection off Jason Lowe, straight to the off-side Dunn, who beat Grant with a left-foot effort at his near post.

Sickener wasn’t the word.

In the cold light of day, for all the “34 years” taunts Burnley fans have to put up with, they remain only three wins behind Rovers after the 99th competitive meeting.

Will the 100th be their day?

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