STEVE Cotterill is delighted with Burnley's early season return of seven points from a possible nine.

The Clarets remain in the Championship's second spot following Saturday's point at Sheffield Wednesday, coming after back-to-back wins over QPR and Leicester.

Midfielder James O'Connor was the unlikely hero, coming off the bench and scoring nine minutes from time to cancel out Steve MacLean's second-half penalty.

The Owls struck the bar twice during the first-half and, in the dying minutes, striker Andy Gray was dismissed for two yellow cards.

Asked if the result felt like one point gained, rather than two lost, Cotterill said: "I would rather look at the three games rather than look at this game.

"We haven't played as well as we did on Tuesday night or in the second-half against QPR.

"But you are not going to do that for 40-odd games.

"If we could sustain one game for 46, we would probably back ourselves for promotion and there will be 20-odd other managers that will say exactly the same.

"All in all, we are pleased with our return of seven points out of nine.

"We've now got a clear week so we can get down to some hard training and look forward to the weekend at home to Wolves".