SEAN Dyche hailed the mentality of his players after they fought back to earn a point at Hull City.

The Clarets had briefly looked set for another away defeat this season when Tom Huddlestone gave the Tigers the lead with 18 minutes to go through a controversial penalty.

But Michael Keane, who had been penalised for handball for the spot kick, smashed home an equaliser four minutes later to earn Burnley a crucial point.

It was the least they deserved from the KCOM Stadium and Dyche was delighted with the way his side approached the game to earn a second away point of the campaign.

"It was a tight game but I'm really pleased with the mentality of the players, because a lot is made of our away record, and there's no fear there," said the Clarets chief.

"We were more than ready to take on the challenge, and it bodes well for the future, but we have to keep doing it. Keep stepping on and playing on the front foot.

"We created enough, I was pleased with the chances we created and the mentality to take the game on, because there's a lot of positive noise about Hull at the minute.

"We weren't sure how that would pan out because it's different playing us than playing Arsenal, because everyone sees that as a free one, and there's more on it against us.

"The only thing I'd question from our point, and I said this to the players, was just that top third moment. We got into some brilliant positions, but there was an overhit pass, an overhit pass, but generally I thought we gave a good account of ourselves."

"I thought we started both halves ever so well. They had a good middle spell, and then they scored, and we reacted well, as we always do.

"Every point is a good point, particularly away from home, every manager in the Premier League will tell you nicking points away from home is a really important part of it."

Burnley had been the better side before Hull took the lead through the penalty, and while had sympathy with referee Martin Atkinson he didn't think it should have been given.

“The penalty is a harsh one all round," he said. "It's hard for the referee. From where I was, 50 yards away, there seemed to be a melee, and I thought he'd done well to pull an arm out of that.

"When I saw it back, Keane goes with his head and a natural position is to put your arm up there. Maguire pushes his arm onto the ball, not deliberately, but he hasn't thrown his arm to handball it, he's gone to head it.

"How do you define that for a referee? It's easier on a screen afterwards.

"I'll not make a song and dance about it because it's a tough one to call.

"You've seen them not given, and seen them given."

Ashley Barnes was booked for dissent after the penalty was awarded and then saw red in injury time when he was shown a second yellow for putting an arm across Andrea Ranocchia's face.

"Barnesy's second booking is a booking, but the first one the behaviour of our players is immaculate," said Dyche.

"He said he'd ran a bit, and I said 'he's not the quickest', so I don't know how aggressive he was, but it didn't look aggressive to me.

"And he's said no expletives, just pointed to say their lad has pushed Keano into it. I think that's harsh to get a booking for that."