GOAL provider Shefki Kuqi insists he did the right thing to ignore a prone Mo Camara and set up Matt Richards for Ipswich's late equaliser.The Finland striker, who was not alone among the three strikers in missing some decent chances, gathered a long ball from Kevin Horlock before skipping around a prone Camara to deliver the telling low cross.

GOAL provider Shefki Kuqi insists he did the right thing to ignore a prone Mo Camara and set up Matt Richards for Ipswich's late equaliser.

The Finland striker, who was not alone among the three strikers in missing some decent chances, gathered a long ball from Kevin Horlock before skipping around a prone Camara to deliver the telling low cross.

Burnley players argued that the ball should have been put out of play for the Guinea international to receive treatment but Camara recovered in time to be standing as Richards cracked home his shot.

Kuqi said: “If I really thought he was genuinely injured I would have kicked the ball out at that point even though we were in a good position to score.

“But I knew he had not been hurt in my original challenge, even though we may have collided a little.

“They were time-wasting at every opportunity and that was no different.

“I had won the header cleanly and I couldn't believe it didn't go in.

“Then he stayed down but when we carried on and the ball was in the box he got up which would indicate there was nothing wrong with him.”

Kuqi had no doubts that Town deserved at least a draw after threatening the Burnley goal so often. He said: “It was a great second half performance and their keeper had a terrific game.

“We hit the woodwork five times and there were other chances so we deserved at least a draw.”

Although Kuqi provided an assist but didn't get on the scoresheet his confidence is soaring after netting twice for Finland last week.

He said: “All these games are difficult but we have enjoyed a break and will go to Leicester ready.

“I have come back from the international squad feeling fresh and fit and a couple of goals did my confidence no harm.”

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill agreed that Kuqi did the right thing to play on. He said: “I don't know if I would have kicked it out either. It was a great finish by the lad and we just have to hold our hands up.

“It was like the Alamo after that from the 91st to the 95th minute.”

Cotterill was disappointed not to go away with all three points after his skipper, Robbie Blake, in particular, was thwarted by Lewis Price.

He said: “We should have won it before then. We missed two or three good chances and the game could have been over before Ipswich scored late on. We have missed chances week in week out and on this occasion it has come back to haunt us.”

Cotterill shrugged off criticism for his tactics, remembering the last Burnley side to visit Portman Road were stuffed 6-1.

He said: “This is a measure of how far we have come. We came here last year and got a good hiding but that didn't happen this time. I don't tell my players to time-waste but they need to take the sting out of the game.

“Ipswich are a good side and many teams that come here will get a good thumping.”

Burnley are a bit more adventurous at home, having scored nine and conceded six at Turf Moor in the league and Town get the chance to enjoy the extra freedom in less than three weeks' time.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk