Owen Coyle's anniversary celebrations were dampened as 10-man Burnley were held to a 0-0 draw by Doncaster.
Thompson sent off in Turf Moor stalemate
Owen Coyle's anniversary celebrations were dampened as 10-man Burnley were held to a 0-0 draw by Doncaster Rovers.
The game marked a year in charge at Turf Moor for Coyle, but the chances of a win were hindered by Steven Thompson's first-half dismissal.
The Clarets met stubborn resistance from a Rovers outfit who dominated the second half and were unfortunate not to claim all three points.
Last week's 1-0 win over Ipswich breathed new life into Doncaster's campaign and their commitment to a patient, passing game was obvious.
Jason Price shot wide in the early exchanges and then Burnley's Robbie Blake saw a free-kick saved by Neil Sullivan.
Rovers were clearly prepared not to be bullied and Matthew Mills' tussle with Thompson led to the game's first bookings in the 12th minute.
Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock then forced Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen to tip the ball around for a corner after being given the time and space to hit a shot from 25 yards.
Joey Gudjonsson was booked for diving in the 25th minute and Burnley's misery was compounded when Thompson was sent for an early bath following another challenge on Mills.
Coyle responded immediately by withdrawing winger Wade Elliott and replacing him with Alan Mahon.
Chances remained few and far between and neither side could find a breakthrough before the half-time whistle.
Pendulum swings
The pendulum swung firmly in Doncaster's favour after the break and they spent large periods camped in Burnley's half.
A sweeping move down the right flank led to Price attempting an acrobatic overhead kick at the far post but he could not stretch far enough and the hosts survived.
Burnley offered only a fleeting threat and Doncaster's defence held firm as Mills reacted bravely to block a fierce shot from Chris McCann.
Yet the visitors remained largely dominant and carved Burnley open on several occasions without managing to find the killer touch.
Constant Doncaster pressure but shots were wayward and Price could not stretch quite far enough as he attempted an audacious overhead kick.
With 13 minutes remaining, substitutes James Coppinger and Paul Heffernan combined to great effect in a move that should have given Doncaster the points.
Coppinger's lofted through-ball found Heffernan in space and he struck a right-foot volley from 14 yards which flew over the crossbar.
