Burnley dug out a precious point from their long trip to Plymouth.

The Clarets found themselves on the back foot for large chunks of a scrappy West Country clash.

Andy Gray had their best two chances late in the day, first firing wide from six yards and then forcing a fine save from the Argyle stopper.

But earlier Brian Jensen made several superb saves of his own - then got lucky as Plymouth came closest to winning it through a Barry Hayles shot that cannoned off the crossbar.

And in the end a third clean sheet in a row was just desserts from a gritty display against their play off rivals.

Burnley made one change from the side that drew with Southend in midweek. John McGreal failed to make the trip south after picking up a knee injury against the Shrimpers.

That meant a first league start for Stephen Foster, who has been restricted to just one start in the Carling Cup in August.

The former Crewe man slotted in at centre back alongside Michael Duff, with Frank Sinclair operating at right back.

And Foster had the first chance of the game inside five minutes when his far post from Wade Elliott's corner was hacked off the line.

Argyle were kept quiet as the game took shape, before Tony Capaldi tested Brian Jensen for the first time with a fierce cross-cum-shot from the left.

Striker Hayles was next to try his luck with an ambitious attempt from the corner of the area that Jensen was again equal to.

And as the Clarets tried to gain a foothold, Akos Buzsaky saw his 25-yard shot deflected just side of Jensen's right hand post.

The Clarets were forced into a change just before the half hour mark when Gifton Noel-Williams limped out of the action to be replaced by Kyle Lafferty.

The 19-year-old has been chomping at the bit in recent weeks, starring for Northern Ireland but unable to gain a starting role for club due to the impressive pairing of Noel-Williams and Andy Gray.

But as Lafferty acclimatised, the hosts continued to carry the bigger threat and in a matter of seconds Jensen was forced to make two terrific tip-overs from Buzsaky and Marcel Seip.

And eight minutes before half time, Argyle arguably should have taken the lead. Jet-heeled Hayles was played in behind the two central defenders and rounded Jensen, but quickly ran out of room and lost the angle to cut the ball back into a gaping goal.

The half time whistle came at a good time for the Clarets, who were coming under increasing pressure.

And the half time team talk seemed to have the desired effect as Burnley came out looking much brighter.

Kyle Lafferty forced an early corner that saw Michael Duff challenge Luke McCormick. And the Pilgrims goalkeeper came off worst, needing several minutes of treatment after landing awkwardly.

However, that was an isolated incident in what quickly became a sterile second half.

Neither goalkeeper was being seriously tested and the home fans frustrations soon began to boil over at a number of petty refereeing decisions.

But it was a controversial free kick awarded to the hosts 10 minutes from time that came closest to breaking the deadlock.

Michael Duff was pulled up for a nonsensical free kick 30 yards out and, following a blocked free kick, Hayles' half volley smashed the crossbar.

Burnley's luck didn't end there though as the ball rebounded, hit Jensen square in the back and somehow bounced wide of his post.

And from the deserved let-off, Burnley broke to almost steal the points themselves. Jones got the better of his man down the left flank and his low cross was flicked agonisingly wide of the far post by the inrushing Gray.

And the Clarets striker carved out another opening for himself with two minutes of normal time remaining, this time forcing a fine save from McCormick.

However, it wasn't to be and both these play-off chasing sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Plymouth: McCormick, Nalis, Aljofree, Norris, Buzsaky, Ebanks-Blake (Samba 87), Hayles, Capaldi, Wotton, Seip, Connolly.
Subs: Larrieu, Doumbe, Summerfield, Djordjic.

Booked: Hayles, Wotton 90

Burnley: Jensen, Harley, Duff, Foster, Sinclair, Elliott, (Mahon 81), Hyde, J O'Connor, Jones, Gray, Noel-Williams (Lafferty 28).
Subs not used: McCann, Branch, Spicer.

Booked: Sinclair 42, Duff 79

Ref: P Miller