BURNLEY were bidding to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first timce since 1995 when they took on Derby County this afternoon.

Their passage through was a bit easier five seasons ago when the Clarets beat Shrewsbury, Chester and Cambridge before playing Liverpool in round four.

After a goalless draw at Turf Moor, Burnley then bravely bowed out 1-0 to John Barnes' Anfield winner.

Before that, the Clarets' last appearance in the last 32 was in 1983 when they beat Swindon Town and went on to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost in a replay to Sheffield Wednesday.

The draw for the fourth round will be made tomorrow at 4pm, screened live on ITV and Sky Sports.

FORMER Clarets striker John Gayle has joined Shrewsbury Town's fight for Football League survival.

Gayle, who scored three goals in 14 games in Burnley's First Division campaign in 1994/95, has joined the Shrews from Scunthorpe United where he will be reunited with ex-Burnley team-mate Mark Winstanley.

THIS week's Auto Windscreens Shield first-round was productive for two former Burnley players.

Kevin Henderson took Hartlepool through with the winner against Halifax Town.

And Steve Morgan scored the only goal of the game for Warren Joyce's Hull City as they won at York.

MICHAEL Williams, freed by Burnley last year and not kept on by Oxford United after a trial spell, has joined Halifax Town. The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder didn't have the happiest of games at Darlington last week, however, conceding two penalties in a 4-0 defeat.

CONFIRMATION that winter is well and truly here came at Turf Moor last Saturday, when the long-sleeved shirts were out in force.

Paul Cook is the only Clarets player who usually sports long-sleeves.

However, Micky Mellon, Andy Cooke and John Mullin also opted for

BURNLEY'S promotion rivals Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Portsmouth midfielder Alan McLoughlin for £260,000.

He has signed a deal keeping him at the JJB Stadium until June 2002.

THE CLARETS reserves are due to entertain Huddersfield Town reserves in the Pontins League Premier Division at Turf Moor next Wednesday night.

BURNLEY Supporters Club holds its annual general meeting at Burnley Cricket Club next Monday night, start 8pm.

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