A COUPLE of weeks ago Stan Ternent said he wanted to see more goals from his team.

Well he got two Moore goals on Saturday to send his team back to the top of the first division.

With top scorer Gareth Taylor out with suspension his strike partner Ian Moore could not have picked a better time to end the goal drought that stretched back more than two months and 13 games.

And perhaps he was inspired by the sight of former England striker Trevor Francis in the opposing dug-out as his last goal had helped send Francis's former club Birmingham City to defeat at St Andrew's.

Ternent was certainly pleased for the striker who has never hidden from the action during his ever lengthening goal drought.

"I'm delighted for Ian Moore because he has worked ever so hard," he said. "The first goal was an opportunist one and the second was top class.

"But he has been playing particularly well but more often than not strikers are judged on goals. I didn't buy him to score barrow loads of goals but to lead the line. I just told him not to worry about it."

But the way he celebrated both goals suggested despite the support from the coaching staff and his team-mates, it had been getting to him.

With Taylor on a hot streak Moore had been the bridesmaid rather than the bride but Saturday was his day.

The first was a real poacher's effort. Matt Clarke palmed Paul Weller's corner off skipper Ian Cox's head towards the edge of the area where Dean West was first to react. His header found Moore in the six-yard box and his flick floated under the cross bar.

Off came the shirt, a la Ade Akinbiyi when he ended his drought, and his colleagues raced to join him.

The second was a classic from the moment sub Kevin Ball found Alan Moore in the Palace half. He turned into space and slipped the ball to the right where his namesake had a run on goal and he unleashed a fierce right foot shot that gave Clarke no chance in the Palace goal.

Again he wasted no time sprinting to celebrate with the travelling fans who shared his joy, showing the pace that frightened the home defence all afternoon. Even during his famine the fans have refused to get on the record signing's back and, like Ternent, their loyalty was rewarded

And having praised one Moore the manager was quick to acknowledge the contribution of the other on his first start in more than two months.

"He is an international footballer, top quality and I am delighted to see him back," he said.

All the talk before the game was centred on how the 11 players named by Ternent would line-up in the absence of Paul Cook. The surprise departure of the influential midfielder meant Cox took over as captain and Alan Moore and Lee Briscoe were back in the side. But instead of returning Briscoe to his left back role, Graham Branch continued their with Briscoe moving alongside Tony Grant and Paul Weller in midfield.

The fact that Branch had been suggested as playing up front with Moore or in the middle of the park shows the versatility at Ternent's disposal.

Trevor Francis left selection and planning to Steve Kember and he might have been relieved as it is hard to plan against opponents who can play any number of different ways.

In truth the whole game was a little disappointing, not that any of the Clarets fans will have lost any sleep over that.

A second successive away win against promotion rivals will have reminded the big clubs at the top that this side is not just versatile, it is durable.

And that durability is best reflected in the continuing excellence shown by centre backs Cox and Arthur Gnohere. Up against the most feared strike force in the first division they were praised by Francis who felt they excellent.

Okay Clinton Morrison did get a first half equaliser after Dean Austin headed a ball back into the danger zone from a corner, and he did force a great save from Nik Michopoulos after Moore's second, but in general the 28 goal pairing did little to worry the Clarets increasingly mean defence.

Dougie Freedman never even got a sight of goal and became increasingly frustrated throughout the afternoon.

The strength, pace and mobility of the centre backs are likely to pose a real headache for Ternent when skipper Steve Davis is finally fit again. A few weeks ago it was almost unthinkable that a fit Davis would have been left out but such has been the form of Cox and Gnohere that must now be a possibility.

The stats are stacking up in terms of points collected. Unbeaten since the abject surrender at Wolves they have drawn twice and won five times, the perfect response to any suggestion that the early season form had flattered them.

Sunday's visit to Preston will be another big test but you can be sure that Burnley will be up for it. On Saturday night Wolves, Coventry and Man City were tucked in behind them, a reminder of the size of the task still ahead.

But with every passing game the prospect of a prolonged promotion push is growing. November was a great month for the Clarets, December has been started very nicely as well thank you.

PALACE...1

Scorer: Morrison 37

BURNLEY...2

Scorer: I. Moore 23, 62