Then we had a strange encounter with the stewards. For some reason they wanted to keep a big square block of seats directly behind the goal free from any supporters. A tarpaulin ran down the one side of the designated are with a walkway across the top. Fans were told they could sit either side of the zone or behind it. When asked why we were told club rules. Not a good enough explanation. I asked why again. For seggregation I was told. Seggregation? from who. The away stand at Burnley holds over 5,000 people, we took maybe 500. The area concerned was the most central part of the stand so for "seggregation" was the furthest part away from home fans. Up until kick off they managed to move most people out but as more numbers moved in they could not keep the area fan free. As some point the police were hovering as fans refused to move without a decent explanation as to why. I still can't think of any safety reason for this and can only assume it's a gamesmanship move to keep away fans away from the goal and the probably barracking of the home keeper.
The home fans were very quiet except for the times they scored and for the injury time pressure they put on us. Onto the game.
Camerone Jerome scored for the 5th consecutive game but it was honours even at the end.
City will rue allowing Burnley to snatch a draw at the end of a cracking spectacle at Turf Moor.
The opening goal came in the opening minute when a poor clearance from Ledley allowed Wade Elliot to strike a low curling shot from outside the box. It was perfectly placed past the stunned Alexander and Burnley were 1 up.
For the next 20 mins City ran riot over Burnley. Chance upon chance came City's way. Jerome fired over an open goal after Rickett's effort was block and then Ricketts himself fired over with just the keeper to beat.
Jerome's goal was route 1. A long Alexander clearance was headed on by Ricketts and Jerome beat the defence for pace and superbly slotted past Danny Coyne.
Man of the match Jason Koumas had the next chance. He ran 50 yards skipping challenges and tackles before getting himself one on one with the keeper, Koumas rolled the ball past Coyne only for Harley to clear off the line.
City couldn't keep it up and then the sucker punch. Elliott scored his second with a lovely volley past Alexander. Rhys Weston failed to close down the wide player who's cross was touched on by darren Purse into Elliot's path and it as 2 - 1.
Chances were still being created and just before half time it wall level again. Glenn Looven headed unchallenged from a City corner and it was 2 - 2.
At half time we were entertained by local Royal Marine lads who put up a funny and well drilled combat routine. Culminating in them being beaten up by the Burnley mascot. Good entertainment. The on pitch tannoy announcer was the bloke from those tacking window adverts, "you buy one, you get one free" he waved and ayatollah'd as well. (If it wasn't him then he has a doppelganger).
The second half was not as entertaining but rivetting nonetheless with Jason Koumas the brightest spark on the pitch and Burnley reverted to chopping him down at every oportunity.
Camerone Jerome's tickery allowed him space to move into the box where he was felled by Sinclair. Darren Purse scored his third penalty of the season to put City in front.
With 10 mins to go the home fans were spilling from the groud. They'd seen enough but the players rallied for a final push and City's desperate defending was punished when O'Connor headed over Alexander. (Remember O'Connor, he scored the 89th minute goal for Stoke in the play off semi defeat at Ninian Park).
For the 4 mins of injury time we were then hanging on. The final whistle came and for the second consecutive match City conceded a late equaliser. Four points dropped in only a few minutes of football.
Jerome is on fire. Goals in the last 5 consecutive games. At the back though we are error prone and allow attackers too much space. Rhys Weston the main culprit at Burnley.
New signing Michael Ricketts could have scored a couple, he set up Jerome but as the game wore on became quite static. He's a big bloke.
Koumas was the star player. Now we have three home games on the run. Leicester and Palace in the league then Macclesfield in the cup. Busy times at Ninian Park.
The journey home was straight forward enough. No delays, the weather stayed reasonably fair and we were crossing the border into South Wales before 9pm.