Burnley 1-1 Stoke: Nugent rescues a vital point for Clarets

David Nugent salvaged a point for struggling Burnley at Turf Moor with his sixth goal for the club.

He headed home in the 52nd minute after Martin Paterson turned Danny Collins inside out before delivering a superb cross from deep.

However, although Burnley moved above Hull, they remain in the Premier League relegation zone after Tuncay's goal for Stoke.

Brian Laws made one change to his Burnley side for the crucial Premier League clash with Stoke.

Laws boosted his attacking options by bringing in striker Steven Thompson for Kevin McDonald.

Thompson was part of a three-pronged attack alongside Martin Paterson and David Nugent with Burnley looking for a win that would take them out of the relegation zone.

Stoke showed two changes from the team that lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup with Matthew Etherington and Liam Lawrence replacing Ricardo Fuller and Glenn Whelan.

With another home game to follow on Saturday against fellow strugglers Wolves, Burnley were looking for a morale-boosting win.

Stoke were the first to show and Abdoulaye Faye clipped a shot wide of the post in the third minute following a corner from Liam Lawrence.

Play switched back down the other end and Danny Fox whipped in a free-kick that was diverted to safety by Danny Collins.

Then Chris Eagles was set up by Paterson in the 14th minute following a a little bit of pressure by the home side.

However, much to his frustration, the former Manchester United midfielder sent his effort nearer the corner flag than the goal.

Stoke again found themselves on the back foot when Jack Cork found space in the area but like Eagles failed to test Thomas Sorensen.

The visiting goalkeeper, however, then turned away a low drive from Fox in the 17th minute as Burnley stepped up the pace.

Stoke took the lead six minutes later following a long throw from Rory Delap. It was flicked on by Mamady Sidibe to Tuncay, who headed in.

It was Tuncay's fifth goal for the club following his arrival in the summer from Middlesbrough.

This was a test of character now for Burnley after they lost their last home league game to Portsmouth.

They came under pressure in the 31st minute when Etherington released Delap, only for Alexander to show good positioning to block his shot.

Etherington then set up Tuncay in the area but his first touch was poor and Leon Cort was able to get the ball away.

Burnley hit back and Eagles delivered a cross to Paterson at the back post in the 39th minute.

It was a good opportunity for the Northern Ireland striker, who had recently returned to the side after injury.

However he showed a lack of confidence and sent his effort weakly into the side-netting.

Burnley seemed to be riddled with nerves with even veteran Alexander affected, sending a pass into the crowd when under no pressure at all.

Etherington then latched on to a good ball from Andy Wilkinson and delivered it into the area but Cort was able to clear.

Burnley boss Laws made a switch at half-time bringing on McDonald for Cork, the England Under-21 midfielder on loan from Chelsea finding it hard going.

The Clarets made a bright start to the second period and Eagles latched on to a pass from Nugent. He skipped forward to the edge of the area only to go to ground following a challenge from Delap.

Eagles appealed for a free-kick but referee Howard Webb would have none of it and allowed play to to continue.

Burnley drew level in the 52nd minute with a goal out of nothing to stun Stoke.

Paterson turned Collins inside out before delivering a superb cross deep into the area.

Nugent was the first to react and left Sorensen stranded with a powerful header - his sixth goal for the club.

Burnley were growing in confidence and Stoke boss Tony Pulis made a double substitution in the 63rd minute bringing on Dave Kitson and Danny Pugh for Sidibe and Lawrence.

It was an open game now with both sides going for the win, rather than settling for a point.

Stoke winger Etherington tried to release Wilkinson in the 82nd minute but Jensen made the anticipation.

Then a minute later Kitson made space for himself before rattling in a shot which tested the goalkeeper.

Burnley came close to getting the winner in the closing moments of the game with Eagles sending a shot over the bar and McDonald finding the wrong side of the post with his effort.