Walsall 0 Burnley 1
THE answer to improving season ticket sales lies within.
So as Burnley bosses scour for ways to fill empty seats at Turf Moor, they might think to quietly slide a price list under the manager's door.
It's a peculiar quirk that on the three occasions manager Stan Ternent has now been banished to the stands, his side have gone on to win all three games.
Ironically, the opponents dispatched on his first foray there last season were Walsall, before Leicester suffered the same fate in the following game.
Saturday signalled the start of Ternent's four-match touchline ban, and again Walsall were put to the sword by a confident, nay cocky performance by his classy Clarets.
And if the winning streak continues at home to Watford today, chairman Barry Kilby might want to think about inviting Stan into the stands on a regular basis. Providing he coughs up the necessary readies, of course!
At the Bescot Stadium, a soulless, pre-fabricated monstrosity of a football ground, Ternent was king of all he surveyed as Burnley took a giant stride towards First Division safety in a total, absolute mis-match.
Opposite number Colin Lee would later claim his side suffered fraying nerves as they inched closer to the finishing line.
In total contrast, Burnley burst towards the tape with a lung-busting performance, dominating the game from the first kick to the last whistle.
In defence, the returning Mark McGregor allayed any fears that David May might be missed, while alongside him Graham Branch dug deep to restore flagging confidence in the wake of his nervy showing against Norwich.
Ably supported by full backs Mo Camara and Lee Roche, they threw up a brick wall to restrict the Saddlers to little more than long shots and half chances.
In central midfield, Neil Wood and Tony Grant reigned supreme, beavering away to carve out chances and leaving Walsall chasing grey-shirted shadows all day long.
Most sweeping moves invariably involved Glen Little, who led the entire defence a merry dance in as good a 45 minute spell as we've seen from the wing wizard this season.
And naturally, Robbie Blake was an equally influential figure, giving off an aura of invincibility as he wriggled and weaved his way through every hole Burnley blew open.
The only nagging worry from the sidelines was that, for all Burnley's superiority, they would be made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.
But we needn't have worried. Paul Merson was simply awful, failing to stamp any authority on the proceedings after his audacious early chip was swatted away by Brian Jensen.
In fact, balding beefcake Neil Emblen aside, Walsall put up such little resistance to the onslaught you fear for their fight over the closing weeks of the season.
But for all their failings, this was not about how bad Walsall were. They were quite simply battered into submission.
Early chances were at a premium as Camara blazed over and Neil Wood's wicked free kick fizzed past the heads of Paul Weller and McGregor.
The first chink of light fell to Blake, who was perfectly placed to receive James Walker's miskick as the keeper came thundering out to the right touchline to clear.
However, with a gaping goal 35 yards in front of him, the Clarets striker inexplicably mis-controlled and the chance went begging.
Merson's floater hinted at a revival, but soon normal service was resumed and Wood really should have put the visitors ahead.
Blake was again the magician, spinning 30 yards out, luring two defenders into his trap and sliding the ball across the area to the unmarked midfielder, who somehow drilled his left-footed drive wide with just Walker to beat.
The second half began with perhaps the only misunderstanding of the afternoon between the two Clarets centre backs. McGregor ducked under the umpteenth punt upfield to confuse Branch, who reacted quickest to snuff out the half chance that fell Lee Bradbury's way.
And minutes later, just before the hour, came the vital moment that had Ternent off his seat in the stands along with around 2,000 visiting fans.
Blake picked out Weller with an inch-perfect crossfield ball and the midfielder cushioned a header back inside to Wood, who again found freedom on the edge of the Saddlers box.
The on-loan Manchester United man toe-poked the ball forward to tee-up a drive, only for Craig Burley to come piling in with a late tackle that deserved the ultimate punishment.
And Blake didn't disappoint, picking up the ball and dispatching the penalty with the minimum of effort to register the 22nd goal of a memorable season.
By now, Lee had seen enough and both Merson and Burley were hauled off after frankly embarrassing themselves. Ternent too opted to beef things up, introducing Richard Chaplow for Weller, who had missed a glorious chance to double the lead with a horrible mis-cue.
Sadly, Chaplow himself was replaced by Lenny Johnrose after only seven minutes of action following a dead leg. But despite the chops and changes, Burnley continued to dominate and Ian Moore came close with a curling effort.
However, as expected through increasing desperation, Walsall began to exert some late pressure through a succession of high balls.
Throughout it all though, Ternent had little cause to shift in his seat as only one chance fell Walsall's way - the magnificently named Jermaine McSporran volleying wide from a good position.
Now it's the turn of Watford to try to unseat the Clarets boss in the second of his four game ban. If they fail, we'll all be sitting comfortably.
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