Defence holds firm for promotion point

EXCITING it wasn't, effective it was.

Another resolute performance ensured that 'losing' remains a word alien to Burnley's vocabulary.

And the Clarets' promotion bandwagon, on this occasion resembling a no-nonsense four-wheel drive rather than a finely tuned sports car, continues to trundle doggedly on.

Stan Ternent's men may have relinquished top spot, for the time being at least, but their hard-nosed approach to staying among the pacesetters hasn't altered one bit.

Miserly in defence and increasingly difficult to break down, Burnley have now gone 320 minutes without conceding a goal.

That almost guarantees them a point before they step on the pitch.

If things then click as an attacking force or the opportunities present themselves, Burnley will gladly push home their advantage and strive for maximum points.

But if not, and when facing a decent side like Bristol City, the Clarets in away-day mode will hold on steadfastly to what they have and then wait until they get back to Turf Moor to turn up the heat on their promotion rivals.

Burnley drew a blank for their third trip running at Ashton Gate.

And just two away goals in five games season may be viewed as an area for some concern.

But while his side are coming away from the likes of Preston and Bristol City with some reward, Ternent won't complain. And as long as he has quality defenders and an ever-improving goalkeeper at his disposal there's no reason why the run shouldn't continue.

Steve Davis revealed that he and Mitchell Thomas had played together as a central defensive unit "for about 20 minutes" during their days together at Luton Town.

But since being reunited in the claret and blue they look as though they've never been apart and they almost entirely snuffed out City's attack on Saturday with another dominant display.

If ever the home side did find a way through, Gordon Armstrong was invariably there with a timely tackle.

And, on the two occasions that the last line of defence was breached, the Clarets were saved by the woodwork and the admirable Crichton, who made one excellent second-half save from Gregory Goodridge.

Crichton's authority has added further confidence to a defence that will be the backbone of Burnley's bid for honours.

His handling was again spot-on against a City side that piled on the pressure in search of a late winner but lacked the cutting edge to pierce Burnley's watertight rearguard.

With the Clarets own attacking endeavours, notably on the break, promising much but delivering little and Bristol being constantly thwarted in the final third, it didn't make for gripping viewing.

And the total absence of any clear-cut chances contributed to a war of attrition rather than exhibition of free-flowing football. But again credit was due to the defenders, who obviously take as much pride in their work as the most prolific of strikers.

Burnley's battle-hardened players are certainly determined to maintain their new-found reputation as the meanest side in the division.

And that was evident by the commitment shown by Thomas and Paul Cook, who lunged in together to prevent Steve Jones from giving City a 10th-minute lead after Gerard Lavin had crossed dangerously into the box.

The contest between Thomas and Davis and the City spearhead of Jones and Italian Lorenzo Pinamonte was critical and the Burnley pair came out on top, aided and abetted by Dean West and Paul Smith, who were stretched on occasions but did enough to limit the supply line from the flanks.

The lively Goodridge made little impact on the right, and when Jim Brennan did mange to deliver a tempting cross from the left, Pinamonte headed over on the stroke of half-time.

Burnley came increasingly into the game as Glen Little tried to get them going with a couple of probing runs, and Smith and Cook worked openings down the left.

But invariably the moves broke down on the edge of the City penalty area, and a long range Cook effort was all the Clarets had to show for their spell of superiority.

As is usually the way, the first score looked as though it would be critical and City were a coat of paint away from claiming it 10 minutes into the second half. Shaun Taylor's glancing header from a Tinnion free-kick looked a goal all ends up on his 500th League appearance.

But the defender's effort rebounded out across the goalmouth via the inside of the post and Pinamonte was unable to force the loose ball home.

With Burnley playing increasingly on the counter-attack it took a smart interception from Lavin to rob Payton of a shooting chance and the Clarets striker was thwarted again immediately after Crichton had kept the scoreline blank with a reflex save down to his left to deny Goodridge.

Burnley's remaining chance fell to Davis but he was unable to connect cleanly with a volley when well placed and the Clarets duly retreated to protect their hard-earned point.

City peppered the Burnley penalty area but Tony Thorpe spurned the only clear heading opportunity and with Crichton and Thomas standing tall, City joined Oldham, Stoke, Preston and Colchester in finding the Clarets too tough a nut to crack.

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