BURNLEY took a major step towards first division survival with a 2-0 victory over Wimbledon at Turf Moor last night.

However, they will fight the rest of that battle without Tony Grant, who will miss the remainder of the season.

Manager Stan Ternent has confirmed that the influential midfielder won't play again this season after limping off at Cardiff on Saturday.

Grant's knee ligament damage adds to Burnley's injury concerns for the relegation run-in but the situation has been eased by a 2-0 victory over Wimbledon at Turf Moor last night.

The result, courtesy of a header by Graham Branch and own goal from Dons defender Harry Ntimban-Zeh, lifted Burnley above Derby and Walsall and put them three points clear of Gillingham in the third relegation spot in the first division.

All teams have three games left and in the light of Grant's injury, Ternent is hoping to have all his other players available for the trio of fixtures that will determine Burnley's status for next season.

Neil Wood and Ian Moore were still missing from last night's line-up, while Dele Adebola was named on the bench despite still suffering a stomach problem.

Ternent said: "If I can get Wood, Ian Moore and Adebola fit and get near enough a full squad I'm confident we can get the points we require.

"Grant will be out for the season now and there are a lot of injury problems at the moment.

"Richard Chaplow has been playing with an injury, that's why he came off, and Paul Weller is nowhere near fit. There are a lot like a lot of players at the moment.

"But they both played and a lot of credit to the lads for that."

Given the circumstances, Ternent was just happy to get the victory last night, admitting that the result was far more important than the performance.

And he was delighted with the way his players overcame a tense atmosphere to wrap up the result with those two first half goals.

Ternent said: "It's a big win for us, a massive win that takes us to 50 points. We scored a couple of goals and none against so that helps goal difference as well.

"It was difficult in that situation because it was a must-win game and nothing else would have done so I think the players did extremely well considering. Some played well and some might as well have been sat up with me but the result was of great importance to us.

"Graham Branch did very well.

"He got a goal and had an effect on the own goal when he chased a ball down and made a mediocre ball in to a top class ball, because it finished in the back of their net.

"The second half we kept it nice and tidy and it was a good win. We had a bit of luck but we haven't had that this year."

Burnley's reserve side have a home Pontin's Holidays League Premier Division clash with neighbours Preston tonight (kick-off 7pm).