BURNLEY conceded four goals against Sheffield Wednesday for the second time this season as they were beaten in this afternoon’s Championship clash at Turf Moor.

Wednesday went ahead in the 19th minute when Marcus Tudgay, who scored twice when Burnley lost 4-1 at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season, fired home an angled shot from the left side of the area after Michael Duff had committed himself in a failed attempt to intercept Tommy Spurr’s pass.

Chris McCann levelled for the Clarets eight minutes into the second half when he headed home at the back post after Robbie Blake’s floating free kick had caught out Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant.

But Tudgay notched his second of the game in the 69th minute. Burnley could only half clear a free kick and Sean McAllister headed the ball back in for Tudgay to control and calmly slot past Brian Jensen.

Leon Clarke then made it 3-1 with 11 minutes remaining, spinning Duff direct from a goal kick before unleashing a superb volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.

And Clarke scored his second just three minutes later, being left in space to race clear and beat Jensen as Burnley desperately pressed forward in an attempt to salvage the match.

Substitute Chris Eagles curled home a fine 25-yard free kick in the 84th minute but it was little more than a consolation.

The match had started evenly with Jensen saving from Clarke and Steven Thompson heading over from a corner at the other end.

But Wednesday could easily have scored a second within minutes of taking the lead as Tudgay was completely unmarked to meet Spurr’s header across goal but put his shot too close to Jensen, who turned the ball wide.

The Dane saved twice more from Clarke, although Burnley did almost equalise before the interval when Lee Grant made a fine fingertip save to prevent Mark Beevers turning McCann’s cross into his own net.

Clarke continued to trouble Burnley after the match had been levelled at 1-1, twice beating the defence for pace before being denied by Jensen.

The forward came even closer when a fierce volley rattled the bar with Jensen helpless before Wednesday confirmed a deserved victory with three more goals.

Burnley (4-4-2): Brian Jensen; Rhys Williams (Kevin McDonald 73), Michael Duff, Steven Caldwell, Stephen Jordan; Wade Elliott (Chris Eagles 64), Graham Alexander, Chris McCann, Robbie Blake; Martin Paterson, Steven Thompson (Jay Rodriguez 73). Subs not used: Diego Penny, Joey Gudjonsson.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Lee Grant; Lewis Buxton, Richard Hinds, Mark Beevers, Tommy Spurr; Jermaine Johnson (Wade Small 87), Sean McAllister (James O'Connor 90), Darren Potter, Michael Gray (Francis Jeffers 90); Leon Clarke, Marcus Tudgay. Subs not used: Richard Wood, Frankie Simek.

Referee: Andy D’Urso (Essex).

Attendance: 12,449.