Stoke 2 Burnley 0

CHRIS Waddle has turned to golden oldie Gordon Cowans to launch a Burnley revival, writes TONY DEWHURST.

While the 39-year-old could not prevent Burnley's inevitable Coca-Cola Cup exit on their first ever visit to the Britannia Stadium, Cowans showed he has lost none of that zest, vigour and footballing know-how that landed him England honours.

Cowans stood out like a beacon in the fog on his senior Burnley debut.

And his performance must surely have given player-manager Chris Waddle food for thought as the Turf Moor injury list continues to grow at an alarming rate.

Cowans last laced up his boots in a Pontin's League fixture against Shrewsbury in August.

But you wouldn't have known it as Turf Moor's oldest swinger in town turned in an all-action display.

Cowans observed: "I've always prided myself on my fitness levels and I was just glad to get the opportunity to play first team football again.

"I'd love more of it because I still feel I've got things to offer as a footballer.

"I know we are struggling injury wise and that is why I got called in against Stoke.

"But if I can come in and do a job for the manager then I will. I will be more than happy to play. I'm still hungry.

"Obviously there are some good young players at the club who are going to get in ahead of me, people like Michael Williams and Mark Ford.

"But what helps when you get to my age is that you can read situations before they happen. That all comes with experience.

"I definitely think we are close to turning the corner. We were a lot better against Preston and quite bright at Stoke, considering the injuries."

It was certainly a makeshift Burnley side, showing several changes from the side whacked 4-0 by Stoke at Turf Moor eight days previously.

And the few Burnley fans who bothered to travel - there were barely 100 inside the stadium - got their first glimpse of Marco Gentile. The Dutch defender played alongside Neil Moore in the centre of the Burnley defence and showed some assured touches.

Chris Brass and Chris Vinnicombe were handed the full-back roles, while there was also a promising debut for loan striker Gerry Creaney.

Twice the Manchester City forward went close for the Clarets, setting up several attacks that troubled Stoke in the second half.

He certainly created extra options for a Burnley side who are at last creating chances in front of goal.

Stoke, though, went ahead in bizarre fashion. A foul by Chris Waddle on Gerry McMahon was punished by a yellow card for Burnley's player-manager and a free kick, taken by Kevin Keen.

The referee then awarded a drop ball after a furious ruck inside the penalty box and, with Burnley defenders desperately trying to clear their ranks on the edge of the six yard area, Keen hooked the ball home after Peter Thorne had challenged Marlon Beresford.

Burnley, now 5-0 adrift on aggregate, stuck to their task and created several openings after half-time.

Gerry Creaney was twice instrumental. First laying a peach of a ball for Chris Vinnicombe to shoot narrowly wide and then supplying a centre for David Eyres, who powered a header wide of the target.

Eyres then went close again, this time Carl Muggleton tipping over his effort as he tried his luck from long range.

At the other end, Marlon Beresford was again in excellent form, producing the save of the match to deny Peter Thorne.

But it was the former Blackburn Rovers striker who had the last laugh with his third goal against Burnley inside eight days to finally settle the tie in Stoke's favour on the night.

Thorne, with six goals in the last four games, needed no second invitation to power home a potent shot from 12 yards out which gave Beresford little chance.

"I seem to quite enjoy playing against Burnley," smiled Thorne who picked up the Coca-Cola man of the match award.

"I scored twice against them on my debut for Swindon in 1995 and now I've netted three times in two legs.

"I can't believe it really. I wish I could play them every week."

He added: "I spoke to some of their lads after the game and I told them that they don't deserve to be where they are in the Second Division.

"They played some really nice football against us in the second leg and I'm sure it will come right for Chris Waddle.

"They just have too many good players at Burnley for it not to happen there.

"They just don't seem to having any luck. If you look at the first leg they hit the post before we had scored.

"They just need a change of fortunes to kick-start things.

"But, saying that, I thought we were very good value and played very well over the two legs.

"It is just a pity that we didn't draw Blackburn in the third round!"

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