WEST Bromwich Albion are the collective equivalent of going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.

If you passed Gary Megson's heavyweights in the street you would be hunting for the nearest phonebox to call Crimestoppers, such is the menacing intent.

And after slugging it out on the pitch for 90 minutes with the beastly Baggies - the most fearsome bunch of intimidating, muscle-flexing players I've seen for quite some time - punch drunk Burnley gave the strongest signal yet that they have the stomach for any fight that lies ahead.

For this was certainly no 'rope-a-dope', with Burnley hanging on grimly for the bell.

Albion may have had the weight and height advantage, even with only ten men following the first half dismissal of Rob Hulse for throwing an elbow into Mark McGregor's face, but the Clarets constantly jabbed back at the Baggies and looked to have landed a knock-out blow mid-way through the second half through 15-goal hitman Robbie Blake.

However, former hod-carrier Geoff Horsfield - a striker with the strength of a Nori and the shape of a breeze block - provided the late hammer blow to square up the scorecard.

For the second game in a matter of weeks, Stan Ternent's men came up against a team trying to bully their opponents into submission.

However, unlike Mansfield, it has to be said that Albion's heavy-handed approach is mostly all above board.

In gentle giant Darren Moore, they have a rugged defender who might make a pretty nifty nightclub bouncer in years to come, while fellow centre back Thomas Gaardsoe possesses silky skills at odds with his chiselled physique.

Former Preston enforcer Sean Gregan marshals the midfield with aplomb, while twin towers Hulse and Horsfield would give most First Division defences sleepless nights.

Yet there is an unmistakable mean streak running through the spine of the team, while in Andy Johnson they have the inevitable bad boy intent on chipping away until patience finally snaps.

The shaggy-haired menace can count himself extremely fortunate to cross paths with rookie referee Nigel Miller, who had a First Division debut to forget in a truly pathetic attempt at controlling a gripping contest.

One Johnson lunge on Tony Grant, directly in front of an apoplectic Burnley dug-out, was typical of the Welsh firebrand, seemingly cloned from Robbie Savage's DNA!

Yet throughout all this, Burnley stood toe-to-toe and gave as good as they got. And that, above all else, was the most satisfying aspect of a 90 minute display that should renew faith among supporters.

Burnley even had the disadvantage of a lop-sided midfield caused by Richard Chaplow's suspension and Paul Weller's latest untimely injury setback.

That left Ternent with little option but to restore club skipper Graham Branch to the line-up for the first time since he went public on fans' failing to get behind the team.

However, in a surprise move, it was Glen Little and not Branch who occupied the central midfield berth alongside Mr Consistent - Tony Grant.

And if ever one needed convincing the Clarets were up for a scrap, it was the sight of Little winning two tackles in the opening minutes that set the tone.

David May also showed the ugly side with a knee in the back on Rob Hulse that ultimately led to the striker's downfall in the 27th minute.

For me, the red card was just about the only thing Miller got right all afternoon as, despite his protests, I remain convinced it was a clear case of revenge brought about by mistaken identity.

While Hulse was receiving treatment for May's foul, Gregan had strutted about the centre circle making noises to Mark McGregor believing him to be the guilty party.

No doubt Gregan had a word in Hulse's ear because within 60 seconds, the former Crewe striker led with his left elbow while jumping with McGregor and headed for an early bath.

By that stage, Burnley were fortunate to be level as Hulse and Horsfield were looking a fearful combination. Hulse had set up his strike partner as early as the 10th minute, but Brian Jensen bravely dived at his feet to snuff out the chance.

Jensen again saved well in the 24th minute after Lee Roche's weak header presented Horsfield with another gilt-edged chance.

All Burnley could muster was a Blake free kick that flew over the angle and a weak McGregor header that bobbled wide.

And the Clarets were again grateful to Jensen on the half hour for batting away a cannon from Neil Clement.

The second half began in similar vein with Albion - not for a second looking a man short - took control. Horsfield barged his way fully 50 yards before sliding a low effort off Jensen's left hand post before the Dane again saved confidently at Clement's feet.

However, the Beast's best save was reserved for Horsfield as the beefy hitman was again denied following a mix-up between Roche and sub Dean West.

But Burnley slowly began to turn the screw themselves and they grabbed an unexpected lead mid-way through the half with their first shot on target.

Little fed Blake with man-marker James Chambers blocking his path to goal and in a flash, the classy Clarets striker swivelled and whipped a sublime left foot drive past stunned keeper Russell Hoult.

It might just have been enough had Burnley not let their guard drop just five minutes later. Lee Roche was caught in no-mans land as May stepped up to try to play Horsfield offside. McGregor was left to pick up the pieces, but could not make up the ground to block an ice-cool finish.

Still, Burnley remain unbeaten in 2004 with a huge FA Cup tie to come next weekend. A similar display to this and suddenly the whole picture could look a whole lot rosier.

BURNLEY 1

Scorer: Blake 68

WBA 1

Scorer: Horsfield 73

Turf Moor Att: 13,106