THE Clarets will go into the second half of the season on top of the first division with manager Stan Ternent declaring: "We have got 46 points from 23 games, averaging two points a game and that is championship form."

But after the thrilling Lancashire derby victory and a weekend of setbacks for Burnley's main promotion rivals, Ternent was keeping his feet on the floor.

"There is still a long way to go. People have said that results went for me but in this division any side can beat another," he said. "Whoever wins and loses doesn't give us any extra points. We have gone out and done that today."

The 3-2 triumph at Deepdale, one of the many teams in the chasing pack, was a third successive away win at a promotion rival following success at Coventry and Crystal Palace.

And having seen his side squander a two goal lead a relieved boss admitted: "We had to win the game twice because I thought we were coasting when we 2-0 up."

He felt that his players were not helped by some "woeful refereeing" from official Roy Pearson who incensed the Clarets fans by seeming to give every key decision to the home side.

"Nik's booking for handball was wrong because I have seen it on the video and he was inside the box," said Ternent after his Greek keeper was shown a yellow card in the first half.

And the Clarets boss was equally angered by the decision to disallow Gareth Taylor's injury time lob.

"If that's a foul then it is by Chris Lucketti for obstructing him," he claimed. "But never mind because we played very well again."

"We are delighted with the win, we got the three points and we are still top of the table and that was the object of the exercise.

"I thought it was a very good game and we are happy to be top of the league. Maybe people will start taking notice of Burnley."

Despite surging four points clear of Wolves at the top of the table, and going seven points ahead of third placed Manchester City, most bookies still make the Clarets only third favourites for the first division title behind those big spending clubs. But Ternent knows all about upsetting the odds as he won the second division championship with Bury when all the experts kept expecting them to blow up.

With the exception of Manchester City, the Clarets have already played away against every other team in the top ten, beating five of them.

Of course Ternent is right to stress the fact that there is a long way to go but with every week and every win the self belief among the players appears to grow.

Arthur Gnohere, with his first goals for the club, and Glen Little got the goals yesterday but there were key contributions right across the park.

Captain Ian Cox was superb in defence, Nik Michopoulos made a couple of outstanding saves and Tony Grant was again magnificent in midfield.

The Clarets fans who sang their hearts out at Deepdale keep wondering when they can dare to dream of a return to the top flight after a quarter of a century.

It may be a little too soon to start planning trips to Anfield, Elland Road and Old Trafford but at least it should be a very happy Christmas at Turf Moor. UP FOR IT: Clarets star Arthur Gnohere leaps into the air after scoring the first of his two goals during the 3-2 win over Preston at Deepdale. PICTURE: ANDY FARNWORTH