DESPITE playing at centre half for virtually his entire career, scoring goals has always been a big part of Steve Davis's game.

He has netted 59 times in the league, 38 of them coming for the Clarets and in the past he has even spoken about his ambition of reaching the ton.

While that might be beyond him, his strength in the air and power of shot should see him notch several in a season.

Partly because of the injuries that plagued him last season his last goal was the headed effort against Manchester City well over a year ago and so it was with a mixture of joy and relief that he ended his own personal drought from his new position in central midfield.

"At last I have got a goal and it was one that I could not miss," he said. "When I put it in I was wondering whether I was going to be given offside."

It really could not have been simpler as he finished off a 69th minute move started by a superb pass to Glen Little on the right wing by sub Tony Grant.

Little had been in similar positions throughout the afternoon without finding the right final ball but this time his low cross was touched on by Ian Moore and finally finished off by Davis.

That doubled the lead that had been given to the home side by Robbie Blake after more good work by Davis who laughed: "I got an assist as well so I guess that would be a few points in Fantasy League."

His assist came because it was his through ball that allowed Blake to show his lovely touch with the lob that opened the scoring shortly before the break.

His long passing has also been a feature of his career and that is just one reason he has been seen as a potential midfield maestro. Injuries to others may have forced Stan Ternent's hand in playing Davis further forward but his skipper confessed: "The more you play in a position the more used to it you get.

"I was delighted to have set one up and hopefully there is more to come than that."

Some had feared that the loss of Davis from the heart of the defence would weaken the Clarets backline but the two men playing there at the moment were picked out for praise by Davis.

"I thought Coxy and Arthur were outstanding at the back today," he said, acknowledging their efforts as Walsall piled forward near the end. "We knew it was important to get a result against Walsall because we have got some tough games coming up against the likes of Leicester, Ipswich and Portsmouth.

"But having said that, I can't see any reason why we can't continue the run and keep pushing up the league."

Any hopes that the goal from the captain would end Walsall's resistance proved premature as the Saddlers produced a determined fightback and grabbed a goal 11 minutes from time, a first for young striker Gary Birch.

Manager Ternent explained: "Marlon came for the ball, it held up in the wind and it was a poor goal to giveaway. But his performances far out-weigh that and the player who allowed him to have a free header knows who he is."

In fact Beresford was again forced to show why Ternent is so keen to keep him at Turf Moor with a number of key saves, not least when he dived bravely at the feet of Jorge Leitao as he raced clear on goal.

But while Saddlers boss Colin Lee moaned about his sides inability to convert their chances, the Clarets can point to a number of their own that went begging and could have spared the inevitable heart flutters near the end.

And it was not just Davis who made his mark in midfield as young winger Brad Maylett came off the bench and injected pace into the home side that could easily have seen them score a third.

Maylett has hardly been helped in making an impact at Turf Moor by the fact that his position is on the right wing, leaving him trying to replace Little in the team.

Add to that the hamstring injury that has plagued him since the trip to the Isle of Man and that is why Saturday's match was his first appearance for the first team this season.

He was clearly keen to make up for lost time and on several occasions he turned on the power to sprint clear. He wasted one chance to get his own name on the scoresheet and then saw Moore hit the post late on after he had played him in.

This season is a big one for the 21-year-old and there is every chance he will get more valuable match practice under his belt for the reserves at Oldham tomorrow night. He needs games but the impact he had against Walsall suggests he has got a bright future ahead of him.

The future for Burnley certainly looks immeasurably brighter than it did just a few weeks ago. The unbeaten run is now up to ten and the club has climbed to ninth in the table.

The increased confidence was evident in the display of Graham Branch at left back. So often barracked by the home crowd, he impressed from the opening minutes when he thudded in a long range shot. An occasional tendency to over elaborate did cause a few nervy moments but for the second weekend in succession he can look back on a job well done.

The next job is arguably the toughest test to date as Burnley take their ten match unbeaten run to Leicester City who boast a sequence that is one better.

But the belief that is now flowing through the Clarets camp will ensure they will make their first trip to the Walkers Stadium in good heart.

BURNLEY 2 Scorers: Blake 42, Davis 69

WALSALL 1 Scorer: Birch 79

Attendance...12,907 at Turf Moor