THE CHANCES of a goalless draw at Dean Court this afternoon looked unlikely, judging by Bournemouth's recent record.

The Cherries hadn't been involved in a stalemate for 22 League games prior to today's visit by Burnley. And they hadn't kept a clean sheet for six games.

Burnley, on the other hand, have played out three 0-0 draws away from home and keeper Paul Crichton has completed an impressive 16 shut-outs this term - a stark contrast to his full debut for the club which came in a 5-0 beating at Bournemouth.

Mark Stein was 9/2 favourite with Corals to open the scoring this afternoon with Andy Payton, looking to sign off with a goal before his three-match ban, at 11/2.

ANDY PAYTON was forced into a share of top-spot in the race to be the Second Division's leading goalscorer when Jonathan Macken's goal against Reading last week put the Preston man level with Payton on 18.

THE Clarets still boast the third highest average crowd in Division Two, despite a second-best-of-the-season gate of 13,526 for last week's win over Bristol Rovers.

Burnley's average of 11,069 is behind Preston and Stoke, with Stoke's average being pushed up to 11,164 thanks to their season's best crowd of 15,354 against the Clarets a fortnight ago.

WEATHERMAN John Kettley put Burnley on the map again last Saturday lunchtime.

Alongside such major sporting venues as Twickenham, the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff and Italy's rugby ground in Rome, Clarets fan Kettley pin-pointed Turf Moor and the likely conditions for the game against Bristol Rovers.

THE CLARETS reserves entertain Lincoln City at Turf Moor next Tuesday night needing to win to progress to the knock-out stages of the Pontins League Cup.

BURNLEY Supporters Club travel times for the game at Colchester on Saturday, February 26 are: leave Colne 6am, Nelson 6.10, Queensgate 6.20, Turf Moor 6.30, Tim Bobbin 6.35, Rawtenstall 6.50.

Non-members £17, members £15, concessions £13. To book, contact Fraser Eagle on 01254 231100 (day) or Trevor Bartley on 01282 777108 (evenings).

BURNLEY'S Football in the Community Programme has lined up a number of soccer schools for the next batch of school holidays. February dates and venues are: 21,22 Gawthorpe and Benjamin Hargreaves; 22,23 (SOLD OUT) Turf Moor Leisure Centre; 23,24 Centre Vale (Todmorden), Park High School (Colne); 24,25 (SOLD OUT) Turf Moor Leisure Centre, Gisburn CP (11am-2.30pm), Stubbins CP (11am-2.30pm).

April dates and venues are: 17,18 Turf Moor Leisure Centre, Gawthorpe, Centre Vale (Todmorden); 19,20 Park High School (Colne), Bradley CP (Skipton 11am-2.30pm); 25,26 Stubbins CP (11am-2.30pm), Gawthorpe, Benjamin Hargreaves; 26,27 Turf Moor Leisure Centre; 27,28 Worsthorne CP.

All soccer schools £10 for two days. To book call the community office on 01282 700011.

The community's soccer clinics are on Monday and Wednesday from 5-6pm at the Turf Moor Leisure Centre and 10am-11am on Sunday, cost £2.50.

Saturday soccer 6's are from 9.30am-10.30am and 10.30am-11.30am, cost £2.40.

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