THE moon was the closest it’s been to earth for almost 20 years on Saturday night.

It looked near enough to touch, but was still some 211,600 miles away.

Likewise the play-offs appear tangible for Burnley, but the distance feels as great following a second defeat in three games.

Nottingham Forest failed to win at the seventh attempt, and Leeds United lost for the second time in five, offering the Clarets a glimmer of hope as the gap between them and their target remained at three points. But until they get their own house in order it matters little what those above and around them do.

Two poor goals to concede – the worst saved until last – put paid to any intentions of going into the international break with their tails up and building up to an eight-game April in a positive manner.

A month that started so well with back-to-back clean sheets and wins at home to Crystal Palace and at Hull City puffing up the Clarets play-off ambitions ended in a deflating fashion with one point from three games. A similar return next month will see any promotion dreams turn to dust.

For now, it’s still alive, and manager Eddie Howe will welcome the opportunity to get back to basics on the training ground for a sustained period.

Since his arrival in mid-January Burnley have been going from game to game, with little time to reflect on the last one before getting ready for the next.

With a fixture-free fortnight, Howe will combine some much-needed downtime with fixing the frailties that are threatening their attempts to push for an immediate return to the Premier League.

The reasons behind shipping seven goals in three games will be among the first things to be addressed.

Having kept faith with the defenders who had recorded two consecutive shut-outs after a 3-0 home defeat to Millwall, Howe tinkered with his rearguard for the first time in 14 games following a frustrating 2-2 draw with managerless Coventry City.

Injury forced a change in midfield, as Marvin Bartley was handed in full debut in place of Dean Marney, Wade Elliott was preferred to on-loan Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso as Jay Rodriguez was tasked with leading the way in a 4-5-1 formation, while at the back Andre Bikey made his first start under new management as Michael Duff – one of nine previous ever-presents – was dropped to the bench.

Captain Clarke Carlisle kept his place, but was culpable in the game going beyond the Clarets in the end as Nicky Maynard, paired with Brett Pitman for the first time, snapped up his poor backpass and gave Lee Grant no chance in tucking away the second and sealing Burnley’s fate.

The threat before the opening goal could also have been better dealt with as Pitman had time to get Albert Adomah’s right wing cross under control before bulging the net.

In the grand scheme of things the Robins deserved to be in front after troubling Howe’s men in a bright start. But Burnley will be kicking themselves for conceding when they did.

The timing was poor – two minutes before the break – but also at a point when they had begun to nullify Bristol City’s threats.

The game was just three minutes old when Elliott headed off the line from Maynard. The home side had burst out of the blocks.

Adomah overhit a cross after sprinting down the right, but Maynard kept the ball alive, only to fire into the side netting.

Bikey’s lack of match sharpness was exposed when he unnecessarily conceded a corner. Grant was waiting for the catch, but if there was a call Bikey didn’t hear it as he headed the ball behind.

The Burnley goalkeeper was soon quick to stop Pitman, flanked by Burnley’s new centre half pairing, with the ball at his feet.

The Clarets had soaked up the pressure put on their box, but were restricted to long range chances at the other end, and Ross Wallace, Chris Eagles and Elliott never really came close to troubling David James.

No-one did, and therein lies another dilemma.

For all of Burnley’s fancy footwork and flair, a shortage of goals, and real clear-cut chances in the last three games must also be looked into during the next fortnight.

James was called upon to keep out Wallace at the end of a quick break before Pitman scored, Tyrone Mears from a free kick at 2-0 and Rodriguez late on, but the 40-year-old former England number one was never stretched to the limit.

Howe was cursing his luck when Grant’s goal was breached, and the irony wasn’t lost on him that Pitman was the man to do it.

The striker had scored 28 goals for Howe at Bournemouth last season before he moved to Ashton Gate last summer for around £1million.

“He was the one player you didn’t want it to fall to,” said Howe. “He tucks them away.”

Maynard should have added a second early in the second half after holding his run before Adomah released the ball. The flag stayed down but the finished rolled just wide across goal.

Pitman attempted acrobatics, but his overhead kick dropped wide of the near left post, while Grant got down to deny Maynard soon after the hour.

But there was little he could do to stop the predator pouncing for his fourth goal in six games when a long clearance downfield bounced and Carlisle fluffed his backpass.

Burnley keep fluffing their top six opportunities.

Damage limitation was offered in the form of Forest and Leeds failing to take points from Swansea and Sheffield United respectively.

On current form, the Clarets are so near but yet so far.