ADAM EL-ABD, left, has thanked Albion fans for roaring them to the brink of a famous point.

But he insists striker Craig Mackail-Smith should not be blamed for failing to take the late chance which would have snatched a 1-1 draw.

Mackail-Smith was unable to guide his follow-up shot past Burnley’s goal-line defender David Edgar in added time for the nine-man Seagulls.

El-Abd, enjoying his first game at The Amex, said: “Macca was tremendous. He worked so hard up front and held the ball I think the best I’ve seen him.

“It would have been the icing on the cake if he had slotted one at the end.

“I’m not criticising him at all. He was fantastic.”

El-Abd, making his first start of the season after recovering from a foot injury, received a warm welcome back from supporters.

Albion fans then raised the volume in the second half as their side battled against the odds.

The Brighton-born defender added: “Right from the warm-up they gave me a good reception.

“At the beginning of the second half, when they realised we needed a gee-up, the fans were unbelievable and it really gave the boys a lift.”