EX-SEASIDER Mickey Mellon stole the points for Burnley in a thrilling Lancashire derby encounter on Sunday (Nov 14).

While the travelling Tangerine's put on another good performance, Burnley were playing in a higher gear and it was keeper Tony Caig who kept his side in the match.

He started work early, parrying a shot from Mullin on five minutes and stopping a screamer from the danger man on 18 minutes.

But his piece de rsistance in his man of the match display came nine minutes later when he scrambled out to the feet of Andy Cooke who was through on goal.

Blackpool's chances were not so numerous, but worthy all the same.

John Durnin latched on to a John Murphy pass to beat the offside trap but defender Steve Davis tracked back and blocked his shot. Danny Coid, stifled for the duration of the match, fired wide on 54 minutes and it wasn't going to be Blackpool's day.

The visitors defended well and manager Nigel Worthington, despite seeing his side lose, was more than happy with their performance.

Blackpool were worth a point, despite playing most of the match in their own half.

But the Tangerines hadn't counted on their ex-teammate popping up to spoil their fun. It was 14 minutes from time when Mellon decided to silence the travelling fans who ribbed him for the duration of the match.

Andy Payton layed a cross back out of the area and Mellon fired an absolute rocket into the top right of the net and Caig had no chance.

Despite the loss, Blackpool kept up their impressive workrate, in evidence in every match since the 5-0 drubbing by Bury.

On Saturday (Nov 20) the Seasiders play hosts to Hendon in an FA Cup second round encounter.

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