WHEN a team that has forgotten how to lose meets one that can't remember how to win it is little wonder that the bookies make it a one horse race.

And sure enough the Clarets ended the day further clear at the top of the first division with County even more firmly entrenched at the bottom - but boy was it close!

In the end it did not matter that County had more of the play, better chances and more corners.

What counted was the incredible self belief that is running through Stan Ternent's men, a belief created by a run of nine games without defeat and six successive victories.

Ternent knows his players used a "get out of jail free" and he was fulsome in his praise for the visitors but that was of no consolation to his opposite number Carlton Palmer.

"I just said to my players that I can't keep saying we were the better team but we have lost again," he moaned.

"I had to be a bit critical about where we went wrong in the game because we had the better chances, especially when it was 1-1."

And it was in the 61st minute when the scores were level that the key moment of the match happened.

Shefki Kuqi had troubled the Burnley defence all afternoon and he showed his pace and power to burst beyond Arthur Gnohere and leave the Frenchman in his slipstream.

The Finnish striker enjoyed a personal duel with Nik Michopoulos all afternoon but as on most occasions it was the Greek stopper who won this battle, blocking his fierce drive from close range.

But the danger was not over as the loose ball broke to Kevin Ellison but his left foot shot curled to the right and away from goal when it looked easier to hit the target.

It could have been the moment when the Hatters took a deserved lead but five minutes later they were behind again and within another five it was game over.

The Clarets needed some inspiration, something that could change the game and the identity of the man who stepped forward was no surprise to Ternent.

"Glen Little is capable of turning a game and long may that continue," he enthused.

The first bit of magic came after Ian Moore had chased a long ball that was deflected beyond the County defence. His typically tireless running meant he won the ball and turned it back to Little wide on the right.

The winger then produced a superb cross to the far post where Gareth Taylor was waiting to head home his ninth goal of the season. Taylor was recalled in place of the suspended Tony Grant and he just can't stop scoring at the moment with six goals in the last eight games that he has started.

The crucial third goal came from some typical trickery from Little, this time down the left. His ability to pop up anywhere across the front line causes opposition defences all sorts of problems and this was no exception.

He cut into the box, left two players in his wake and delivered a lovely ball into the six yard box that Ian Moore gleefully hammered home. His third goal in three games came against the club he left to come to Turf Moor just over a year ago and there was no disguising his delight at finding the net.

County were now staring down the barrel of a fifth straight defeat but they did no give up. In stoppage time Kuqi saw a shot deflected behind, he had a free kick well saved by Michopoulos and then finally got his reward from the penalty spot.

There was genuine bemusement in the Clarets ranks as referee Andy Hall pointed to the spot, apparently for a handball against Taylor as he leapt to head clear a corner.

"They got a penalty and then we have the ball to them and suddenly we are defending a corner," said Ternent who like the home fans was forced to endure some last minute flutters.

Taylor was involved in the penalty incident at the start of the game that saw Little score his ninth goal of the season with his second from the spot.

Little played Taylor in behind the defence but there looked little threat as Taylor ran away from goal before he tumbled under a clumsy challenge from Damien Delaney.

After a sluggish start it should have settled the league leaders but within two minutes they were pegged back.

Ali Gibb's cross should not have caused the problems it did and when the loose ball bounced to Gary McSheffrey he nodded into the corner of the unguarded net.

Chances continued to come at both ends with Lee Briscoe miskicking after good work by Alan Moore, then the Irish international heading over from Little's cross before roles were reversed and Little saw his low shot well saved by Lee Jones.

At the other end last week's hero Arthur Gnohere was having a tougher time and his weak header sold Michopoulos short and he was injured in a clash with Kuqi.

The two clashed again just before the break, this time the striker getting a booking.

It was after half time that the visitors enjoyed their best spell and it was hard to believe they are in danger of being virtually down by Christmas.

But that is of no concern to Burnley's manager, players or fans. They know they will be top of the table on Christmas Day and so the turkey will be tasting sweeter than ever.

RESULT:

BURNLEY 3 (Little 9 pen, Taylor 66, I Moore 71)

STOCKPORT COUNTY 2 (McSheffrey 11, Kuqi 90 pen)

Attendance: 15,526