WELL, talk about tales of the unexpected - I suspect that like most Burnley supporters, I had trudged along to Turf Moor anticipating another less than gripping encounter with Rotherham United.

Historically, games against the Millers have been marginally less enjoyable than hacking off one's own leg with a blunt knife.

Those who made the trip to Millmoor last month will know exactly what I mean. The Yorkshiremen have their own distinctive style of play - a style which has little to do with the beautiful games, yet owes a large debt to the art of pugilism.

It was with some surprise then, that Saturday's encounter turned out to be no rough and tumble affair, but an eight goal thriller.

In previous home games, the Clarets had seen off good sides such as Norwich City and Nottingham Forest by playing some of the best football seen at Turf Moor for quite some time. So what went wrong on Saturday?

The turning point was arguably Rotherham's second goal.

Prior to that, Burnley had a sustained spell of pressure around the millers' box, but didn't get the rub of the green.

Had we equalised at that point, who knows what may have happened? But we didn't and the sky fell in.

Then there was Ian Cox, pictured. Making his first appearance since hobbling off at Preston, he had a stinker.

Normally solid and reliable, Coxy was visibly ring-rusty. We also missed the man whom he was standing in for.

In recent weeks King Arthur has been a rock at the heart of our defence. Suspended on Saturday, he should walk back into the side for this weekend's clash at Gillingham.

Yet what made the defeat hardest to stomach was that the majority of the damage was inflicted by two old boys.

Afforded warm receptions prior to kick off, Alan Lee and John Mullin succeeded where David Johnson failed the week before.

Mullin's first strike in particular was a very well taken goal, and given the pedestrian performances of our centre midfield, one couldn't help thinking that perhaps he should never have left Turf Moor.

Plus points? Robbie Blake was his usual bright and inventive self and looked to be the only Clarets capable of making something happen.

And at the other end of the pitch, Graham Branch acquitted himself well, particularly in the second half when it appeared that he was being asked to repel Rotherham single-handedly.

Stan Ternent's post-match sense of bewilderment will be shared by most Clarets fans.

Let's hope this pledge that Burnley won't play that badly again is realised down at Priestfield on Saturday.