SAM Ellis insisted there would be no complacency in the camp after Burnley secured their first league win of 2004.

The hard fought 1-0 victory over Gillingham lifted the Clarets five points clear of the relegation places and kept Stan Ternent's side unbeaten run going this year.

But right hand man Ellis warned Burnley are far from out of the woods yet with some eye-catching games and tough opponents still to come to Turf Moor.

He said: "It's the first league win of the year and we are still unbeaten as well, which is a positive outlook.

"We are five points clear of the relegation places now, but that's still not a long way. We don't play (in the league) next week and the week after the fixtures are stinkers and can go against you, so you never know. You cannot rest - you have to keep on going."

Burnley toiled in blustery conditions and hampered by the loss of suspended top scorer Robbie Blake. But Glen Little finally popped up with a long overdue goal just eight minutes from time to see off the Gills for the third time this season.

Ellis added: "Robbie wasn't available and we do miss him because he is a particularly good player. But you have to give credit to the people who went out there.

"You never know which way the game would have gone with a different team and a different set-up, and they are pleased with themselves. Their confidence is getting better with every game.

"Glen has got his goal and one in seven months isn't too bad. We do like to share the goals out and in Glen's case it's not been for the want of trying.

"He had the chance at Preston, and he has been getting into the positions but it has just not been going for him. Once he starts scoring though, he has spells. So you had better look out in the next few weeks."

Ellis, deputising for virus-hit boss Ternent, added: "It was a strange goal, but we will accept it.

"We had a couple of chances that didn't go in, but it was a particularly difficult game because Gillingham are a hard team to beat and the weather was blustery.

"Any goal in those circumstances is welcome and any victory is too, especially in our position. The players, understandably, feel it when they go out there in the position they are in, but we thought we were more positive in the second half.

"The lads were confident they could do it and they stuck at it, kept plugging away and in the end it worked."

Ellis also feels the team are now standing up well to the physical test many of their First Division opponents provide.

He said: "The players coped with the physical side very well. There is nothing wrong with being physical - it's a contact sport and we are coping with it better as time goes on."