SEAN Dyche had hinted at changes in a bid to try and turn Burnley’s fortunes on the road around, determined not to fall into the ‘definition of madness’ as he put it, but while tactics and personnel did alter, the familiar failings were still all too apparent.

This looked more like the Burnley we have come to expect and they did play with more aggression and intensity in the Potteries, but they gifted Stoke the advantage and it was one they were never going to relinquish, and the Clarets lacked the quality to blow the door down.

The 2-0 reverse means it’s now five defeats in six away from home for the Clarets, with just the solitary point, and just as worryingly, the solitary goal, from the penalty spot.

Since 2009/10 Burnley have lost 33 of 44 top flight games, with just four wins. It’s been a hard slog. For teams new to this division getting points away from home is a difficult skill to master, and it’s one Burnley are still studying for.

The Clarets started the first half brightly and were the better side in the second half, when they looked to be fuelled on anger at what had transpired in those opening 45 minutes.

As the lively started petered out Stoke grew into the game and took the lead in slightly fortunate circumstances, before adding a second that left the Clarets dressing room seething.

Whether they used that to fire them up in the second half or not, it was a better display and one that can be built on for future away assignments, although they need to find a more ruthless cutting edge.

While Dyche had suggested changes nobody could have predicted Sam Vokes and Steven Defour both dropping out, as well as Matt Lowton and the injured Johann Berg Gudmundsson. In came Jon Flanagan, Ashley Barnes, Andre Gray and Scott Arfield.

If it was intended to provoke a reaction it did just that and the Clarets were quick out of the blocks. Arfield’s second minute free-kick was deflected behind off Marc Muniesa’s arm while he and Gray were finding space between Stoke’s defence and midfield, with the latter flashing a shot over the bar.

But that opening salvo was as good as it got in the first 45 minutes. Soon an unmarked Bruno Martins Indi was planting a header against the foot of the post, and then the Potters had to the lead.

It was too easy for Mame Biram Diouf and Xherdan Shaqiri to work a one-two from a throw on the right and when the former crossed Ben Mee slipped and could only glance the ball and Jonathan Walters finished over Paul Robinson and into the far corner.

The second goal began in controversial circumstances.

Ward put the ball out on the halfway line for Walters to receive treatment, despite Mark Clattenburg waving play on. Charlie Adam then put the ball into the corner for a defensive throw for Burnley. They did manage to work the ball clear but it came back when Muniesa danced past a couple of challenges and sent it wide to Marko Arnautovic. As he made ground on the left Muniesa continued his run and at no point did anyone get close to him, with the ex-Barcelona man applying the finish in acres of space 12 yards out.

Burnley are getting used to going at least two goals behind on the road, and as they are finding out getting back into games at that point is nigh on impossible.

Jeff Hendrick tested Lee Grant and Gray had a shot deflected behind before the break. The game could have turned early in the second half had Muniesa been sent-off for pulling back Gray as he broke through on goal, but Clattenburg only produced a yellow card and gave a free-kick, despite Gray breaking the shackles as he edged into the area.

The striker saw a late half-volley tipped wide by Grant, and it was as close as Burnley came on another afternoon of disappointment and frustration away from home.