IT should have been a sweet half time cup of tea for the Clarets against Barnsley on Saturday but for Kevin Ball in particular it was sour.

As the interval approached they were 2-0 up against a dispirited side, low on confidence, without an away point all season and having scored only one goal on their travels.

But on the stroke of half time came the moment that changed the course of the game and left Burnley without a win in the last five games.

There are few players in the first division with more experience than Kevin Ball. He really has been there, done that and bought the T-shirt.

But his crude high tackle on Kevin Gallen not only gifted Barnsley a needless penalty, converted by the impressive Chris Lumsdon, it threw them an unexpected lifeline that they proceeded to grab with both hands.

"It was a bad challenge by Bally in the box and it was a definite penalty," admitted Burnley boss Stan Ternent.

His opposite number Nigel Spackman, who has had plenty of midfield battles with Ball in the past, went further as he said: "I know Kevin well and I think that could have been a sending off. Some referees would have shown him a red card."

That might have been a bit harsh and in the end the punishment was sufficient as the incident inspired the fightback that ended with six goals and the points being shared.

But Ball was not the only Clarets culprit as keeper Nik Michopoulos had a hand in throwing away a lead restored in the closing minutes by Andy Payton's penalty.

Or to be more accurate he did not have a hand in throwing away the game as he stood and watched Darren Barnard's free kick fly into the net two minutes from time.

The Greek stopper may have been confused by the sight of Gordon Armstrong doing some form of dance on the goal line but he is the man with the gloves and a shot on target should always be his responsibility.

The Clarets number one apparently wants to see the goal on video before accepting the blame but he should view it after the 9pm watershed - it will be a video nasty.

It was a disappointing end to an afternoon when the home fans once again had plenty of value for money, if not the win they had hoped to see.

Everything had started so well with the breaks going the Clarets' way and suggesting that they would record a comfortable win.

After a relatively subdued opening Tykes skipper Chris Morgan gave Burnley the lead in the 23rd minute when he diverted Paul Weller's dangerous cross past his keeper Andy Marriott.

It was unfortunate for Morgan but the start of a very lively afternoon for him. In the space of a couple of minutes he produced a superb tackle to halt Ball's surge towards goal and then he was the last man back to clear Ian Moore's effort as it rolled slowly towards the goal.

But Burnley did increase their lead in the 36th minute with Weller again the supplier. He broke down the right and did well to look up and pick out Lee Briscoe who had galloped to the edge of the area from his left back position.

Briscoe's fierce drive was deflected into the net for his fourth goal of the season, not a bad return for a player who had only scored two league goals before the start of this campaign.

There looked to be no way back for Barnsley before Ball put his foot in it but after the interval it was they who took control.

Burnley's continuing weakness at set plays remains a concern for Ternent and he was again unhappy with the lack of marking in he 52nd minute as Morgan put right his earlier error by heading home a corner from Lumsdon.

The big defender had all the time and space he could have hoped for and like West Brom's Scott Dobie he made no mistake.

The arrival of Bruce Dyer before the break had pepped up the Barnsley attack and he gave his former Crystal Palace team mate Ian Cox an uncomfortable afternoon.

Dyer set up Sand and he was denied by a good save from Michopoulos, loan signing John Oster shot wide when well placed, Gallen curled a shot just wide and Bradley Maylett, on for Paul Cook, did well to clear Lee Crooks's header from the line after another set piece.

As Dyer had an impact for Barnsley, so did former Tyke Andy Payton for Burnley. He scored in this fixture last season and he found the net again, converting a very controversial penalty six minutes from the end.

Neither Gareth Taylor nor Steve Davis appeared to appeal for a penalty as they tried to get on the end of right wing cross but referee Graham Laws pointed to the spot and Payton did the rest.

That was his fourth goal as a sub this season and according to some records his 200th league goal. It looked as if it was the winner but another sub, Barnard, had the final word.

Spackman, who was furious about the penalty, felt the free kick was harsh on Burnley but said: "I guess that evened things out."

And so it proved. Another six goal thriller to follow a similar game against Crewe the last time Burnley had a home game.

On that occasion it was Burnley who were always trailing, chasing the game and so it felt like a point won.

Ternent's post match demeanour left no doubt that this was very much two points dropped. The players did not want to talk after the game, suggesting there had been enough words in the dressing room.

Tomorrow night the talking will stop as Burnley take on leaders Crystal Palace. The home fans will hope that some harsh lessons have been learned.

RESULT: BURNLEY...3 Morgan o.g. 23, Briscoe 36, Payton (pen) 84

BARNSLEY...3 Lumsdon (pen) 45, Morgan 52, Barnard 88

Attendance...14,690