AS opening days go, it could scarcely have been better.

Never mind the ridiculously inconvenient kick-off time. Never mind not getting home until late. It was all worth it; an away win, a couple of goals and a clean sheet, all roared on by a noisy and sizeable away following.

And what finer way to start the season than with victory at a ground where the Clarets turned in one of their worst performances of last season?

This was the archetypal Burnley away performance.

First, win the physical battle. Then play your football. And with a little luck, the rest will follow.

If this is the Clarets away day blueprint for the campaign, they should enjoy a good degree of success on foreign fields (Preston North End could do worse than take note).

In fact the only downside to the day was the brace of pitch incursions following Paul Cook's successfully retaken penalty.

Burnley manager StanTernent was absolutely justified in physically defending his players.

Those who were paid to prevent such scenes as occurred at Hillsborough, appeared either incapable or unwilling to do so.

What was the manager to do, stand by and watch one of his players be assaulted?

One can only wonder at the inertia of the police and stewards.

Having dealt with Cook's original assailant, one might reasonably expected them to be on their mettle, yet scarcely 30 seconds later, a second disgruntled Wednesday-ite was allowed to amble slowly through the persistent Sheffield drizzle towards the centre circle, as though taking an early Sunday evening constitutional stroll across Hillsborough was his birthright.

Ternent's subsequent apology for his action was noble, yet frankly unnecessary.

Still, lackadaisical security measures must not overshadow three well-earned points.

There were a number of encouraging performances for the supporters.

Steve Davis, a little lighter than last season, was everything a defender and skipper should be.

Glen Little, although flitting in and out of the game largely for tactical reasons, showed enough enthusiasm and trickery to worry any First Division full-backs who may have been watching on television.

And Gareth Taylor's superbly taken goal will have boosted his confidence no end.

Also worthy of mention in dispatches were the understated Armstrong, the aggressive Briscoe and the composed Cook.

Wimbledon, on Saturday, will provide a sterner examination. Yet the confidence garnered from Sunday's result, allied to that gained from last season's double over the Dons, should send the Clarets into the game in good heart.

And if the performance is half as good as at Hillsborough the supporters should leave Turf Moor in similar spirits.