IT took just six minutes for the Gazza factor to take affect at Turf Moor last night.

That was how long it was before Ian Moore ended his goal drought and for the home fans to realise a treasured and long overdue home win was on its way.

Paul Gascoigne may have been sitting in the director's box but the arrival of the legendary midfielder was just what the Clarets required. His walk across the pitch 15 minutes before kick off had the ground shaking and the tremors must have been felt in the dressing rooms.

So often in recent weeks they have been lacklustre but this was the Burnley of early season, getting at their opponents from the off.

In a barnstorming first half they threatened to blow their Lancashire rivals away as they created chance after chance, denied by the excellence of David Lucas in the away goal.

Gascoigne had done his bit by getting the fans warmed up but from then on it had to be the players on the pitch who picked up the baton and ran with it.

And it was the forgotten new signing who had a key part in making sure that they did.

Amid the hype and hullaballoo surrounding Gazza's arrival, it was easy to forget that David Johnson was making his debut for Burnley. His display ensured it was a first game that he would long remember.

Not that he was complaining as he smiled: "Paul Gascoigne can take all the limelight. I have just come here to try and earn a contract."

He certainly went the right way about getting one.

Marlon Beresford had made a crucial early save to keep out a Chris Lucketti header and it was the Clarets keeper who launched the ball forward that led to the opener.

It looked like a forlorn chase for Johnson as Lee Cartwright had a head start but such was his pace that he forced a hurried back pass that put David Lucas under pressure.

His kick was straight at Ian Moore who then produced one of the goals of the season. He had it all to do as he first controlled the ball and then executed the perfect lob that crept under bar and over the hurriedly retreating keeper.

It was a wonderful way to end a 13 game drought, ironically the same length as his other dry spell earlier in the season. He had not netted in the League since the consolation goal at Manchester City. That goal counted for little, yesterday's was priceless.

It was the launch pad for a spell of attacking pressure the like of which Burnley have failed to produce for several weeks. They poured forward in wave upon wave of attack and Johnson duly got his dream debut goal.

He had been denied by a great save by Lucas, stopping his right foot shot, after being put through by Alan Moore and seconds later the pair combined again to devastating affect.

The Irishman took a quick free kick and this time Johnson was through with the ball on his left. This time he was not to be denied, his shot going into the corner and he ending up in the arms of delighted manager Stan Ternent who admitted: "David Johnson did very well.

"When everyone is fit and available it is going to leave me with a nice problem to have."

It should have been three on a number of occasions, notably when Ian Moore was clean through and opted to shoot rather than slip a pass to his namesake who had an open goal.

Then Johnson and Lucas went head to head on a couple of occasions, the Preston keeper winning on points as he first drove him wide and then took the ball off his feet.

The home fans, who had booed off their team in a couple of recent games, cheered them off at the interval, a well deserved ovation.

But the second half was a different tale as Preston finally got into the game. If the arrival of Gazza had helped Burnley step up a couple of gears, the departure of David Moyes appeared to have stalled the Lilywhites.

But whatever Kelham O'Hanlon said in his first managerial half time team talk had the desired affect as they pushed Burnley back.

"You didn't have to be a genuis to say what I said," admitted the caretaker boss.

If Lucas was a hero between the sticks before the break, it was Beresford's turn to show what he could do after it. His saves from Dickson Etuhu's close range shot and Richard Cresswell's diving header were magnificent, a continuation of the great form he has show since his return to Turf Moor on loan from Middlesbrough.

In the middle of that spell of Preston pressure there was the sight of the first streaker of the season. He shook hands with Glen Little but his sprint for the stands was halted by the best rugby tackle seen outside of Twickenham this year, Bertie Bee upending him in full flight.

It is hard to say if the interruption helped or hindered either side but Beresford was finally beaten when a cross from the dangerous Etuhu was expertly chested down and driven into the net by substitute Iain Anderson.

That goal six minutes from time ensured a nervous end to the game although Alan Moore could have settled it with a great run into the box that was stopped with a great tackle although there were some muted appeals for a penalty.

Robbie Blake came on and linked well with Glen Little down the right as they tried to run the clock down and they did look as if they could unlock the visiting defence but there were to be no further goals.

By the final whistle the goal heroes Moore and Johnson had left the field to standing ovations and how they deserved it. The rest of the team also took their bow at the end of the anxious four minutes of stoppage time.

The night had started with a party atmosphere to welcome Gazza and ended with the talk being of play-offs, promotion and Premier League.

There is a lot of work to do and a long way to go last night was a big step in the right direction. Roll on Wednesday night and Bradford City!

BURNLEY...2

Moore 6, Johnson 25

PRESTON NE...1

Anderson 84

Attendance...18,388

Pictures of Gazza's arrival at Turf Moor...click here.