PROMOTION-HUNTING Burnley boss Stan Ternent wants his side to start playing like a top-of-the-table team - to make sure they stay there.

The Clarets emerged from Saturday's goalless derby clash with Preston with the point that keeps them level pegging with three other sides at the head of Division Two.

But while Ternent was delighted with his side's defensive performance and another unbeaten showing, he stressed the need for his players to adapt to their lofty status.

"We're top of the league. The thing that sort of bugs me a bit is that you're there by right but some of my players haven't been used to it and I have to get them used to it quickly because every game you play everyone wants to beat you," he said.

"Preston are one of the fancied sides, they couldn't do it.

"Bournemouth were a fancied side they couldn't do it, Stoke were a fancied side they couldn't do it, Chesterfield were a fancied side they couldn't do it and Bristol Rovers were a fancied side they couldn't do it. That was someone else who did that.

"Since 11 games from last season plus what we have this season, we've lost one game, apart from Manchester City, so the sooner we come to terms with it the better.

"So every time we play we have to be better and better and better. That's the target, that's what we're aiming for." And while admitting that his side had earned another "good point" in a game where defences dominated, Ternent added: "We defended well and Paul Crichton didn't have a serious shot to save, although I feel we have played a lot better than we played on Saturday which wasn't acceptable.

"We had four or five players who were well below par by their own standards but we still came away with a draw, and a comfortable draw really.

"I expect us to pass the ball, keep the ball and be on top of our game.

"It was a good point considering in my view we were about 60 per cent of our capabilities.

"I'm happy not to lose but I would much preferred to have got three points.

"We are always likely to score a goal but this was one of those days when it wouldn't go in for us.

"But it's a hell of a lot better than losing 1-0 to them at home late on last season when we were the better team and it's a hell of a lot better than losing here 4-1 last season when they murdered us."

"This isn't an easy place to come, especially in a derby, so of the two managers I think I'll be happier than David Moyes." And he added: "It's a far better positon than being at the bottom and I've experienced both since I've been at Burnley. Fourteen points from seven games is a decent start."

The national Press yesterday again linked Andy Cooke with a move to Bristol City.

But with City having just spent £500,000 on Steve Jones from Charlton and Ternent insisting that Cooke isn't for sale, the Clarets striker, who is nearing a return to full fitness following a hamstring injury, is staying put.

Meanwhile, Burnley send a strong side to face Wolves in the Pontins League Premier Division tonight.

John Mullin, Chris Brass, Ronnie Jepson, Alan Lee, Mark Robertson and Paul Weller will all figure.

Alex Kevan scored all four goals as Burnley's youth team beat Rochdale 4-1 in the Youth Alliance on Saturday.

Burnley's board will again meet representatives of the supporters' clubs at Turf Moor on Thursday night.

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