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John Carver: Newcastle lucky to escape with point against Burnley

Newcastle assistant manager John Carver believes the Magpies were fortunate to gain a point in Thursday's 3-3 Premier League home draw with Burnley, despite leading with just four minutes left to play.

Newcastle were on course for victory after a strong first half in which Burnley had to use all three substitutes due to injuries, with the hosts going into half-time leading led 2-1.

However, Sean Dyche's side impressed from then on and the Clarets -- who fought back from 2-0 down at Manchester City on Sunday to claim a point -- hit the woodwork four times before George Boyd scoring a deserved equaliser in the 86th minute.

Carver -- taking charge for Thursday's game with manager Alan Pardew's exit from the club imminent  -- was glad to escape with a share of the spoils.

"I am actually sitting here so disappointed because we were so good in the first half and so poor in the second half that we actually have got away with a point. We didn't deserve that," he said.

"I said to Sean at the end of the game, 'We didn't deserve that,' and I think he must have thought I was saying we should have won the game, but no, by no means. Burnley should have won the game."

With Pardew set to take over at Crystal Palace and in the stands for the Eagles' trip to Aston Villa on Thursday, speculation has been growing over the managerial position at Newcastle -- but Magpies skipper Fabricio Coloccini insists he has no designs on the position.

The 33-year-old Argentina international was an early favourite with the bookmakers when news of Palace's approach for Pardew emerged.

But Coloccini has re-affirmed his intention to concentrate on his playing career having first been linked with the post last year when Pardew found himself under intense pressure.

Speaking after the Burnley draw, he said: "I am a football player now and want to play for a few years more. I want to enjoy being on the pitch. It's not for now."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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