Stoke striker Tom Cannon in action against Burnley Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Stoke's Tom Cannon had a left-footed effort saved by Burnley keeper James Trafford

Stoke City earned a point in a Championship stalemate at high-flying Burnley in their final match under interim boss Ryan Shawcross.

The hosts ended the match with 10 players after Hannibal Mejbri was sent off in the 87th minute.

He was shown a red card for appearing to stamp on Junior Tchamadeu following a challenge on the right-back.

Shawcross will now return to his Stoke academy role to make way for former Coventry City boss Mark Robins, who has been installed as Potters manager following the recent departure of Narcis Pelach.

After their 1-0 win over Sunderland, the Potters were resolute against another promotion-chasing side in Scott Parker's Burnley, registering back-to-back clean sheets.

Shawcross' two-match stint at the helm can be seen as a success, considering Stoke's previous form.

They went nine games without a win prior to beating Sunderland and Robins has therefore inherited an improving team.

Stoke's Lewis Koumas went closest to breaking the deadlock at Turf Moor when his second-half strike hit the bar.

Second-placed Burnley are unbeaten in 13 matches and have kept 16 clean sheets this season. But they struggled to create clear-cut chances in this game, failing to even muster a notable shot on target.

They went close in the first half when Jeremy Sarmiento headed narrowly wide after being found by Jaidon Anthony.

Stoke responded, with Tom Cannon bringing a save from Burnley keeper James Trafford before the interval.

Trafford denied Cannon again early in the second half, this time palming away the striker's volley from near the edge of the penalty area.

Burnley then appealed in vain for a penalty for handball when Anthony's shot was blocked by Tchamadeu.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Jaidon Anthony (left) had a second-half shot blocked

Stoke, 19th in the table and four points above the relegation zone, finished the game strongly and Koumas hit the woodwork with a left-footed effort from outside the box.

They went close again when Sam Gallagher headed just wide.

But, in the final seconds, Josh Laurent missed a chance to win it for Burnley when he headed over from close range.

'The squad is in a good place' - reaction

Stoke interim manager Ryan Shawcross told BBC Radio Stoke:

"It's a really pleasing point. In the first half we were slightly passive but went for it in the second half and I felt we were the better side.

"Four points from two games, I'm delighted. Burnley are a really good team, Sunderland are a really good team, and to take that amount of points from those two games is brilliant. It just shows what the capabilities of this squad are.

"All we asked from them was enthusiasm, a desire to press, to work hard, and to also show their quality. I've enjoyed these two games.

"For them to put that performance in against another really good team was really pleasing. I thought the application and effort were really good.

"The squad looks in a good place. The new manager will be welcoming a really good squad that I think can push up the table."

Burnley boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I think overall, if we're being honest, we fell a bit short today. We huffed and puffed and just lacked a little something, especially in the top end of the pitch.

"We're a little bit disappointed with the way it went. We struggled at certain moments in the final third.

"We had real control in terms of possession but no shots on target tells the story of the game for us. We lacked that quality and bit of composure.

"I can't fault the effort and commitment the players have shown today. We walk out with a point, which is not ideal, but we keep going and keep trying to produce performances."

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