FOLLOWING Saturday's morale boosting victory at Stockport County, Clarets boss Stan Ternent declared: "Our fate is in our own hands.

"We have got eight games to play, five of them at home against sides who, like us, have something to play for.

"The nearer you get to the finishing line you can get uneasy but it was a good hard-working performance."

Having had a hectic few weeks the Clarets must now wait until Sunday for the opportunity to build on their success at Edgeley Park, the tenth away win of the season.

They are only the sixth side in the country to reach double figures for triumphs on their travels.

Home form, so disappointing this year, will be crucial when deciding where they are to finish the season and the Lancashire derby against Preston North End has added spice as it is now David Moyes' side that is the closest challenger to sixth placed Burnley.

North End beat Rotherham 2-1 at Deepdale to take advantage of Norwich City, Birmingham and Crystal Palace all dropping points.

The Clarets now have a five point cushion separating them from the chasing pack although Birmingham play twice before Sunday's match and so the pressure would mount if it was back down to one.

After a run of one point from three games the result was all that mattered on Saturday and although, in Ternent's words, it was not a "pretty game" it was a comfortable success. Second half goals from Gareth Taylor, his 15th of the season, and Ian Cox, with a great shot from outside the box, were enough to beat the doomed Hatters.

The break in action may come at a good time as there were a couple of injury concerns for Ternent following the match.

"Steve Davis had a little calf strain and I needed to get him off as soon as possible," he said. The skipper has been in impressive form after four months out with a knee injury and his presence will be crucial in the coming weeks.

But as he walked away from the ground he seemed happy enough that the problem is nothing too serious.

Another man to be subbed was Tony Grant, back for the first time since straining a hamstring against Nottingham Forest.

Ternent explained he was "a little tired" but now he has a week to work on his fitness levels before the big game.

In addition the week off will allow Glen Little the chance to work towards a return after suffering concussion in the clash with Norwich City.

Ternent was pleased with the performances of full backs Mark McGregor and Mitchell Thomas who came in for rare starts but did well.

"It is a squad game," said Ternent who was giving McGregor his League debut for the Clarets and seeing Thomas start a match for only the second time this season after injury problems.

The Burnley boss has always insisted that his team will be "there or thereabouts", even during runs when the results have not gone for them.

Saturday's match was a potential banana skin given the struggles in recent games but there was no slip.

"The players are doing extremely well and they bounced back again," added the manager although he had a warning for fans.

"I expect it will happen again before the season is out."