ALL the Clarets hopes of money-spinning cup ties might have gone West - but for a defender called Dean.

Strikers will always tell you that scoring goals win matches, but at the other end of the field there is a feeling that goals denied can play a big part in deciding the outcome too.

Usually you will find it is goalkeepers who will offer this line of argument after they have made string of saves, but maybe Burnley's Brian Jensen will be saying the same but pointing to right back Dean West as the Clarets saviour.

In a cup-tie that remained as uncomfortably tight as a woollen sweater that has been accidentally put through a hot wash, the Clarets shaded matters thanks to some sharp finishing.

However, there were two moments that West won't forget, while Jensen will be putting on the rinse cycle for the umpteenth time to try and wash the memory away.

Both incidents occurred in a second half that saw Scunthorpe belie their third division status and put up the kind of fight normally associated with the Alamo, Rourke's Drift ... insert your preferred suitable historic moment of heroism against the odds here.

With the Clarets 2-1 ahead thanks to a cute Robbie Blake finish four minutes before half-time, the Iron twice had a chance to strike in a crucial phase of the game.

The first occasion was on 49 minutes when in a challenge for a high ball into the box Jensen fumbled under pressure from bustling United striker Steve Torpey. The loose ball fell kindly for the Scunthorpe man and his shot seemed to be destined for the goal but West appeared as if from thin air to scrape the ball off the line.

Ten minutes later, and with the margin still a solitary goal, Jensen again failed to judge a high ball into his area of operations.

This time it was a free kick launched by Matt Sparrow from 35 yards and what started out as a cross almost became a shot as West again had to do the honours in ensuring the Dane did not end up with egg on his face by saving his bacon.

But while it might not have been the easy ride some had wished for, at least the Clarets ensured their place in the third round knowing they had more than played their part in an entertaining spectacle in which both sides endeavoured to play attacking and entertaining football.

Scunthorpe set out their stall as they created the early chances, the best of which seeing Sparrow denied a shot after a tidy move was ended by a perfectly timed Mo Camara block in the vicinity of the Burnley penalty spot.

But once the Clarets had settled they began to call the tune with Blake and Luke Chadwick, who at times effortlessly illustrated the sublime difference between received and intuitive ability, creating openings almost at will.

Scunthorpe keeper Sam Russell had already been called upon to show his skills twice before he was beaten for the first time on 21 minutes.

If anything it was dreadful luck for one of the game's stronger performers that served up the goal as United's Sparrow did his utmost to reach a well-weighted Paul Weller through-ball but as he over-stretched to clear the ball he merely guided Chadwick into the box where the Old Trafford loan star showed ice cool composure in passing the ball into the far corner of the net.

After that it was tit-for-tat for a while as Scunthorpe went close through Terry Barwick and Richard Kell, and the Clarets saw an excellent move between Camara, Chadwick and Ian Moore come to nothing as Iron skipper Cliff Byrne showed his steely resolve.

Then on 32 minutes the home side got on level terms.

A needless free kick conceded by the Clarets in dangerous waters led to United's inventive Canadian-born Kevin Sharp clipping in a cross that put David May under pressure and as the ball looped up Steve MacLean was there to head home.

However, the bias to the Clarets was soon restored a four minutes before half-time a concerted attacking effort brought it's reward.

An inventive attack that seemed to have ended with Blake and Moore getting in each others way looked destined to be cleared, but Chadwick read a couple of minds and managed to block a telegraphed pass out of defence and with his interception he sent Blake back into the penalty area where the striker coolly rounded the keeper before tucking the ball into the net.

Ahead at half time but after the break Scunthorpe changed the pattern and it took until 14 minutes from time for the Clarets to take some of the wind out of the home side's sails.

Persistence brought reward this time.

Midfielder Gareth Farrelly retrieved a blocked cross and played in Blake, who in turn chanced his arm on a forced ball to Moore who came up trumps with an expert turn and finish.

That should have been game over, but United had an ace up their sleeve in veteran Peter Beagrie.

On came the winger best known for his acrobatic celebrations and he proceeded to lead the Clarets defence a merry dance.

Six minutes from time he ensured that anyone associated with Burnley endured six minutes of normal time and three minutes of added time in pure purgatory as he fired home a free kick from 20 yards.

The finale was nerve-wracking to say the least for the Lancastrians but in the end they made the third round draw and that was in no small way due to Mean Dean!

SCUNTHORPE 2

MacLean 32, Beagrie 84

BURNLEY 3

Chadwick 22, Blake 41, I Moore 76

At Glanford Park Att: 2,915