Burnley boss Eddie Howe rued his side's poor start as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the sides' npower Championship clash at Selhurst Park.

Jonathan Parr opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Owen Garvan scored in the second half as the Eagles triumphed, and Burnley ended the game with 10 men after substitute Marvin Bartley was sent off.

Howe said: "It was a disappointing start. We were very slow out of the traps today.

"We were under the cosh in the first few minutes and, when you come away from home and go a goal down in the first few minutes, it is always going to be difficult.

"After that, for the rest of the first half, we controlled the game and on another day perhaps the result would have been different.

"Their goalkeeper (Julian Speroni) made a number of great saves and we put a few balls into the box but defensively it is an area we need to look at.

"We will score goals but it is at the other end we need to tighten up.

"The second goal was a killer blow because the longer it went on, "I thought we were getting back into the game. When it went to 2-0 it was an uphill battle."

On Bartley's red card for lashing out at Parr, Howe added: "I have not seen it yet, but he is an honest lad and it is disappointing he got sent off because we will lose him for three games now, which is a big blow."