BITTERLY disappointed Adrian Heath declared today that results matter just as much as performances following Burnley's 3-1 defeat by Walsall at Bescot Stadium.

After seeing his team compete well throughout but slip to another unlucky reverse, Heath asserted: "We can't just keep trying to take positive things out of defeats.

"We've got to start winning matches.

"For 70 minutes we played some of the best football I've seen since I took charge.

"We're starting to get better going forward and there's been a big improvement to our shape.

"But through lack of concentration, lack of fitness, whatever, we let this game slip through our fingers.

"And that is not going to be acceptable for much longer.

"That certainly doesn't fit into the plans next season and players have got to be aware of that."

After Kurt Nogan headed home a David Eyres cross to give Burnley the lead at Bescot Stadium, there was a conspicuous lack of awareness shown by Burnley's defenders.

Kevin Wilson was allowed to equalise within seconds and the initiative was immediately surrendered.

But Heath could take positive aspects from the game, not least the assessment of Walsall manager Chris Nicholl who admitted that the result was "undeserved".

"I think Nicholl's reaction sums it up," said Heath.

"On the night we didn't deserve to go down by a scoreline like that.

"Our general performance was good and we looked dangerous.

"For the vast majority of it there was only one team in it.

"But for isolated incidents you do get punished.

"For their first goal Lightbourne, who looked frightened to death all night, was only presented with two half-hearted challenges.

"And Eyres, who otherwise had a good game, was caught asleep for the third goal and Beresford also made a mistake.

"These have to be eliminated if we are to be consistent and successful."

And Heath insisted that will be what he is looking for when the Clarets close out the season at home to Shrewsbury on Saturday.

"We've got to look for a good performance," he said.

"And if we have the better of things we've got to convert that onto the scoreboard.

"For a change, though, I'd settle for us playing badly and actually winning the game!"

Burnley Supporters Club are holding a football quiz at Burnley Cricket Club tonight at 7.30pm. Teams of four can take part and the entry fee is £5 per team - cash prizes for first, second and third. A raffle will be drawn during the interval, first prize £250.

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