Despite taking the lead through a Dan Parks penalty, the Blues were blown away in the first half and trailed 16-3 at the interval.
But after the break the Blues emerged a different team for the second half and immediately hit back but despite Richard Mustoe's excellent try they could not complete the comeback.
The visitors were aggrieved by some refereeing decisions as captain Paul Tito was sinbinned for the last ten minutes and Burnell was doing his best to look on the bright side.
He said: "We did not get into our stride in the first half which I can accept but then in the second half crucial decisions go against us and that has a massive bearing.
"We went out with the intent to play and the spirit and enthusiasm to keep working hard so when the decisions go the wrong it is difficult to accept.
"But it is something as coaches and players we have to look at and review, although that's not in our hands.
"Our spirit goes back to the game against Connacht. They were very physical but we dug in and the spirit came through as it did against Ulster last week. We are just carrying on with that journey and that spirit."
63x46.png){kind=logo}