STAN Ternent paid tribute to hero of the hour Graham Branch as Burnley took a huge step towards safety.
Branch soothed fraying nerves with the only goal of the game against Derby to take the Clarets to within one point of First Division survival.
And boss Ternent saluted his emergency striker following the second of two vital goals inside five dramatic days.
He said: "When I bought Graham he was a striker and it's just unforeseen circumstances that have seen him playing at left back and centre back.
"He has taken a lot of criticism -- some of it justified but the majority of it unjustified - and he has come up trumps.
"Sometimes he is a little bit of a worrier and he likes to be liked, unlike football managers.
"But he has three goals this season now and every credit to him."
The win means that Walsall must now win both of their remaining games, away to Crystal Palace and at home to Rotherham, to better Burnley's 53-point total.
But the Clarets can solve that potential problem by taking just one more point, either from the trip to Rotherham next week or the home game with Sunderland on the final day of the season.
Derby, however, remain rooted in trouble themselves after Ternent;s troops avenged their Pride Park defeat earlier this season.
However, the Clarets chief is convinced opposite number George Burley will steer County out of danger in their final two matches.
He said: "There is no question in my mind that Derby will stay up. That won't be of any consolation for George, but that's how I see it.
"We are not technically safe ourselves, but Walsall have to win both games now and that's possible, so we have to move on.
"I'm a lot happier on 53 points than I was going into the Wimbledon game last Tuesday night.
"One point will probably do it, taking into account the goal difference, but we still have work to do.
"I've never finished below 55 points since I've been here and I don't want to start this season."
He added: "That's two victories and two clean sheets back to back. We haven't done that too many times this season, but I thought we just shaded a terrific game of football against an excellent Derby side.
"We got a little break here and there when it mattered, but there was plenty of grit and determination and in the first half we could have scored three goals.
"But in saying that, Richard Chaplow kicked one off the line in the second half.
"There was a lot of nervous tension in both camps and that can be more
draining than the physical side, so credit to both teams for having a go.
"It was energy sapping conditions, but when you are a goal up you can just sit in there a little and try to get them on the break.
"I thought the players were magnificent and so were the crowd. It means a great deal to them, so I am delighted we have been able to deliver."
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