Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 0: Strike duo Rodriguez and Iwelumo key to Clarets play-off hopes

Jay Rodriguez netted what proved the winner after three minutes to leave his side four points outside the play-offs with two games in hand.

Tindall said: “A clean sheet was important but it would have been nice to get more goals.

“It’s always tough when you play teams who are fighting for their lives. We played some good football in the first half but had to dig deep and defend well in the second half.

“We kept the ball very well and it was an excellent first 45 - it was a shame we couldn’t repeat that in the second half. But they threw everything at us and we defended well when we had to.

“What a strike the winner was though – it was worthy of winning any game. But we’re just pleased we got the three points.

“Jay (Rodriguez) keeps getting better and better – nothing surprises me with him. He works hard, he’s a fantastic finisher and what a strike.

“He is getting more confident and he is scoring goals. He is an exceptional talent and has a very bright future ahead of him. We are short in the strikers department at the moment so it is important we keep Jay Rodriguez and Chris Iwelumo fit.

“It’s just the way football goes sometimes but, hopefully, they can continue to stay fit and continue to perform well.

“If we do bring a striker in it will be a player that will improve our team – if that person is available we will bring them in.

“It’s an old cliche but we will continue to take each game as it goes. We are on a good run in the league and if we can continue, who knows where it can take us?”

Burnley: Grant, Mears, Carlisle, Duff, Fox, Eagles (Alexander 87), Marney, Cork, Wallace (Edgar 90), Iwelumo (Elliott 59), Rodriguez. Unused substitutes: Jensen, Bartley, Bikey, Easton.

Crystal Palace: Price, Clyne, Gardner, McCarthy, Wright (Easter 81), Moxey, Ambrose, Danns, Dikgacoi (Scannell 69), Vaughan, Iversen (Counago 69). Unused substitutes: Speroni, Davis, Barrett, Zaha.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).

Man of the match: Jay Rodriguez.