"A GREAT point" was Steve Cotterill's post-match assessment of Burnley's last-gasp draw against Bristol City.

Absolutely a great point and indeed a great week for the Clarets.

In one respect the trip to Hillsborough was a no-win situation for Burnley. The Owls record read played five, lost five and had Burnley succumbed to Wednesday on Tuesday, questions would have been asked.

Instead they came away with a thoroughly deserved victory.

Steve Cotterill was quick to praise Gabor Kiraly and the back four.

Quite right too; You get nothing without a solid back line. Steely resolve was required in the steel city and was duly provided by Messrs Jordan, Caldwell, Carlisle and Duff.

Yet if the victory was built on these foundations, then Robbie Blake was its architect. The diminutive conjurer has shown occasional flashes of his brilliance since rejoining from Leeds United, yet on Tuesday night his calmness, quick wittedness, and cuteness came to the fore and proved the difference.

Fast forward four days and a trip to another intimidating venue. Not for no reason are the Robins the only undefeated side in the Championship. And Ashton Gate in full voice is a daunting project. Deep into injury time it looked as thought it had proved too much for the Clarets.

Thank goodness then, for the player's character and Clarke Carilisle's hitherto hidden taste for the spectacular. His acrobatics fully justified the wearing of his white boots (last seen sported down Turf Moor way by cult hero Arthur Gnohere).

Deep into injury time, was, as Carlisle himself noted, an excellent way to open your goal scoring attempt for your new club.

They say that what goes around comes around, so how pleasing it was to see Burnley salvage a point at the death, having dropped two at the same stage of the game seven days earlier.

And so to this evening's game and a shot at glory as Burnley try and dump Premier League Portsmouth out of the Carling Cup.

Hope may be found in the fact that Pompey are not the best travellers.

Their 1-0 victory against Blacburn Rovers, (still clearly reeling from Thursday night's thoroughly enjoyable Greek tragedy), was their first away from Fratton Park since Boxing Day 2006.

With any luck, Harry Redknapp will see the Carling Cup as a distraction and alter the make-up of his team accordingly.

Us supporters have a part to play. Let's get behind the lads and silence the Pompey chimes.