DEFENDER Daniel Lafferty felt the 4-0 scoreline flattered Blackpool, but accepted that Burnley were the architects of their own downfall at Bloomfield Road.

The Clarets were unlucky to go into the break a goal down after creating a host of first-half chances.

But mistakes cost them in a disappointing second half, allowing rivals Blackpool to comfortably guarantee a play-off spot at the first time of asking following relegation from the Premier League.

“We could have prevented a lot of the goals, but we switched off, myself included,” said left back Lafferty.

“I think if we could have scored in the first half that would have made things a bit more interesting in the second half.

“I think we could have gone on and won it.”

Burnley trailed at the break to Stephen Dobbie’s 21st minute free kick, and Gary Taylor-Fletcher stunned them with a second two minutes into the second half.

A mistake by Lee Grant made it too easy for Stephen Crainey to put the game beyond the Clarets just after the hour, before substitute Nouha Dicko made his mark in the 81st minute.

“Their (second) goal took the wind out of us a bit and it was hard to get going again,” said Lafferty.

“If we had managed to get a goal though we could have grown in confidence and possibly could have got something.

“I think 4-0 flattered them a bit. But all-in-all against one of our biggest rivals it’s a bit disheart-ening.

“We need to pick ourselves up now to go again next week and finish the season on a high.”

Burnley end the season with the visit of Bristol City, whose Championship safety was secured with a 2-0 win over Barnsley.

Lafferty has made four starts for the Clarets since signing from Derry City in January, but has yet to play at Turf Moor.

The 23-year-old is set to make his home debut as the curtain comes down on the 2011/12 campaign, and he admitted: “It’s a shame personally that the season is coming to and end.

“It’s funny the four game’s I’ve played have been away from home.

“I’ve relished the opportunity.

“I’ve got to look forward to next season now and try to play as many games as possible and stay in the team.”

As a team, Lafferty feels the least of Burnley’s objective must be to follow in Blackpool’s footsteps.

“We’ve got to give ourselves as much opportunity as possible and hopefully this time next year we’ll be experiencing what Blackpool are now,” said the defender.