Giggy puddings

Stripped of Mitchell Thomas, Paul Cook and Andy Payton, the Clarets were found badly wanting as they crashed to their first defeat in nine games - a golden goal at Wigan apart when, incidentally, Cook didn't play either.

Thomas's ever-present record was ended by a bout of 'flu, which also kept Payton on the bench, and without him the Clarets' defence was all at sea on a sodden pitch passed fit for play 45 minutes before kick-off.

They weren't helped by the dismissal of Steve Davis after just 10 minutes for deliberately handling on the line, although there's no guarantee that with 11 men Burnley would have overcome a two-goal deficit.

Without Davis, Burnley were even more vulnerable to Bury's counter-attacking and turned in a fragmented and an ill-disciplined performance that saw them four goals adrift at half-time.

Two last-gasp strikes beyond the 90-minute mark from Ronnie Jepson and John Mullin may have salvaged something in terms of goal difference. But they didn't mask the fact that Burnley are lacking in genuine strength in depth in the absence of key players.

Ternent's side with Thomas in it had conceded only six goals away from home prior to yesterday.

And Cook's absence in central midfield was felt just as keenly as the Shakers, even with Nicky Daws having a quiet day, were the stronger in that department as well.

With Payton's goalscoring potential missing as well, holes were left that weren't adequately filled.

In fairness, it's not easy to come off the bench after weeks of relative inactivity and switch straight onto the pace of a fiercely contested local derby that at times got out of hand.

Bury's Chris Swailes was also sent off and Graham Branch, one of seven other players to receive a yellow card, could have followed him.

And there were players who have been regulars this season who also under-achieved.

But if Burnley are to have any chance of catching Wigan and Preston, then Ternent looks as though he will have to buy to build on the solid start his current set of players has provided.

Whether he is able to do that just yet is highly doubtful.

Kilby, who can't be faulted for his financial input or his re-structuring of the club since taking control a year ago, is trying to raise additional funds. Without wishing to over-react to one defeat, how quickly that cash comes in could be vital. With the spine of their team taken way, and Paul Crichton having a rare but costly off-day in goal, Burnley were up against it virtually from the off.

Joint player-manager Andy Preece gratefully swept in the first inside eight minutes and two minutes later he doubled Bury's lead from the spot after Crichton had failed to deal with Paul Reid's cross and Davis handled Andy Woodward's shot.

With Davis gone, Preece's physical power and Adrian Littlejohn's speed and skill were too much for a Burnley back four reinforced by Branch, who switched from a central striker to an attacking left-back.

The support for Andy Cooke then came from Glen Little and John Mullin and Burnley looked more than capable of getting a goal, particularly through the driving runs of Little who trod a fine line between brilliance and petulance as Burnley's tempers frequently boiled over.

However, Bury looked equally likely to score as the Clarets were frequently exposed at the back.

And the killer third goal came after 33 minutes when Matthew Barras joined the attack and capitalised on a fortunate pass from Littlejohn and acres of space to shoot past the exposed Crichton.

Paul Reid then missed a sitter with Burnley on the ropes before Littlejohn volleyed the fourth from a Barras cross as Crichton was caught out of position.

Burnley had managed just two direct efforts on goal from Mullin and Lenny Johnrose before Ternent made a double swap at the break. Tom Cowan and Jepson replaced Dean West and Micky Mellon and Little made way soon after, presumably with tomorrow's visit of Oxford and his constant feuding with referee Scott Mathieson, who didn't give Burnley much but didn't influence the result of the game, in mind.

The Clarets played with three at the back, Branch reverting to a more forward role, and with Cowan and Jepson adding a bit of fire then at least the Shakers' attack was largely nullified.

Bury's ambition was also limited by the dismissal of Swailes following a 55th-minute flare-up with Branch when both players had a kick at each other off the ball and were cautioned.

Burnley took advantage and Paddy Kenny saved well from Gordon Armstrong, while Paul Weller brought a breath of fresh air to the Clarets' line-up when he came on and his performance on the right-hand side was a ray of sunlight in the gloom.

Many of Burnley's fans had gone, however, by the time any tangible consolation came their way. Branch looked to have passed up the opportunity of a goal when he put wide a golden opportunity 15 minutes from the end.

However, the Clarets had reserved their best for last when Jepson calmly side-footed home and then Mullin nodded in another from Weller's cross, both in injury time.

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