SHANE Duffy admitted Blackburn Rovers’ derby day heartbreak at Turf Moor was ‘hard to take’.

Much like the first fixture between the two sides earlier this season, Rovers dominated Burnley for long periods.

But Andre Gray’s 16th-minute penalty was enough to earn the Clarets a first league double over their neighbours since the 1978-79 season.

And Duffy blamed himself for giving the spot-kick away, having caught George Boyd’s heels when the Burnley wideman nipped in front of him.

“It’s hard to take. I think we were the better team and it’s disappointing,” he said.

When asked if referee Mike Jones had made the correct call in awarding a penalty against him, Duffy added: “I think so.

“I didn’t see him coming behind me, I was just going to clear it and then he got his toe in.

“If it’s anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free kick.”

Rovers are now six without a win against their East Lancashire rivals, but Duffy was unsure how they had failed to take a point from two games against the Clarets this season, having been the better team in both.

“I think they know that as well,” he said.

“When you’re up there in the league you get those chances and those opportunities and it’s just not dropping for us at the moment. Their keeper has made a few great saves.

“I think they’re fortunate to have got the six points but that’s why they are up there in the league and we’re not.”

Rovers had two penalty appeals turned down, one in the first half when Stephen Ward made contact with Hope Akpan’s back, and then in the final action of the match when Jordi Gomez went down under Fredrik Ulvestad’s challenge.

And Duffy believes at least one should have been given.

“If they’re giving the one against me I think he has to give the one on Hope, it was from behind him and there’s contact there,” he said.

“But it’s the referee’s decision and I still think we were the better team without penalties.

“It’s hard because I hate losing games when you’ve been the better team.

“I think the fans will know that for both games we’ve been the better team but we haven’t got the results, which their fans will be happy with.

“I’m disappointed because it was my fault as well.”