City had fought back from two goals down at Eastlands to lead, but McDonald struck four minutes from time, firing home a pass inside the area from Steven Fletcher.

Owen Coyle's men had lost all five of their previous matches on the road, but were on course to remedy that when Graham Alexander scored from the spot in the 19th minute after Joleon Lescott's handball in the area.

Fletcher then grabbed another after 32 minutes, adding the simplest of tap-ins to Chris Eagles' pass with keeper Shay Given missing in action.

But Shaun Wright-Phillips halved the deficit before the interval, with the help of a deflection off Burnley defender Stephen Jordan, and Kolo Toure levelled after 55 minutes when he stabbed home a pass from Lescott following Gareth Barry's free-kick.

City were then in front for the first time three minutes later through Craig Bellamy, who applied the finishing touch to a cross from Wright-Phillips, and appeared to be heading for the win until McDonald's unlikely equaliser.

Tottenham moved into the top four courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Robbie Keane stabbed home after 12 minutes to beat Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon, who moments earlier had done well to palm away a volley from the Irishman.

Andy Reid hit the post for the visitors in the first half, while the Black Cats were awarded a penalty after 51 minutes when Darren Bent went to ground under a challenge from Heurelho Gomes.

The Spurs keeper was booked for his protests, but redeemed himself by saving Bent's weak effort.

Tom Huddlestone then added to Sunderland's woes with Spurs' second after 68 minutes.

Aston Villa are up to fifth thanks to their 5-1 rout of Bolton.

Ashley Young gave Villa the lead after five minutes, smashing home on the rebound after Jussi Jaaskelainen had twice saved headers from John Carew.

Gabriel Agbonlahor then added a second after 43 minutes, but Johan Elmander hauled Bolton back into the match on the stroke of half-time.

Carew made it 3-1 eight minutes after the restart, and although James Milner had a penalty saved by Jaaskelaainen after 70 minutes, the midfielder made amends by smashing home Villa's fourth two minutes later.

Carlos Cuellar made it an afternoon to forget for Gary Megson's side when he headed home with 15 minutes remaining.

Blackburn came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Portsmouth, a result which earned them a passage out of the bottom three.

Pompey were looking to build on their 4-0 thrashing of Wigan last weekend, and Jamie O'Hara gave them the perfect start at Ewood Park with the opening goal after 15 minutes from Aruna Dindane's pass.

But Jason Roberts got Rovers back on level terms after 53 minutes, poking home a header from Ryan Nelsen, who then headed the hosts in front in the 73rd minute.

Roberts then put the result to bed with a left-footed strike four minutes from time.