IN a city renowned as a hotbed of learning, Burnley passed an important test of their promotion credentials to stay up among the Second Division's grade A students.

Cambridge might not offer the sternest examination on offer at this level. But this was still an assignment the Clarets couldn't really afford to fail.

A fifth game without a victory would have seen them slipping just off the pace.

But, thanks to Andy Cooke's early strike and a resolute defensive performance, they came up with answers that were required to bank maximum points and move up a place to fifth in the table.

Despite their lowly ranking, Cambridge are among the top-scorers in the division and had only once previously this season drawn a blank in front of goal.

Yet, once Cooke had pounced for his second goal in four days, the U's weren't given a sniff of a reply.

Paul Crichton had one meaningful save to make and reserved most of his good work for dealing with a crosses aimed at the massive figure of Trevor Benjamin.

The keeper's under-employment was a credit to Mitchell Thomas and Steve Davis, who have got Burnley's campaign back on track since their collective off-day against Scunthorpe.

That 90 minutes apart, the pair have been in imperious form and last night they prevented 12-goal leading scorer Martin Butler and his sidekick Benjamin from registering a single effort at goal. Thomas kept the highly-rated Butler under lock and key, while Davis won the battle against Benjamin.

And though Michael Kyd, the third member of Cambridge's attacking unit, gave Paul Smith one or two early problems, his threat was nullified once Lenny Johnrose dropped deeper to combine with Smith in closing up that avenue as well.

The home side lacked the variation or invention to crack Burnley's rearguard which always looked capable of protecting the lead even in the face of some lengthy bouts of home possession.

Burnley's attacking play was not as slick as the brand of football they produced at Millwall, with midfield often being bypassed. But Paul Cook and John Mullin battled for the cause to keep Cambridge at arm's length and achieve a result which was of the utmost importance.

And if Burnley can now restore their home form against Bristol City on Saturday then the week's break for FA Cup duty will be approached with great satisfaction.

As well as a fourth clean sheet away from home this season, another encouraging factor for Burnley was the ability to win without top-scorer Andy Payton.

Payton is such a crucial figure to the Clarets that his absence is almost unthinkable.

So to see his name missing from the team-sheet because of illness must give the opposition a tonic before they start.

However, they write Cooke off at their peril as he is suggesting that a return to his 20-goal-a-season form of two years ago could be on the cards. Having marked his return from injury with a goal at Millwall on Saturday, Cooke repeated the medicine from a corner.

Cambridge's fallibility in defence was exposed after just five minutes when they failed to deal with Cook's delivery.

And when his namesake was allowed two bites at the cherry, he accepted the second one to fire Burnley ahead.

That didn't trigger a Burnley onslaught but rather gave them something to hold tenaciously on to.

Quick to get men behind the ball and looking to release Cooke and Graham Branch on the break, Burnley's only real problems came on the occasions they failed to clear their lines properly.

Glen Little threatened sporadically up the right but again it was a corner that provided the visitors' only other serious effort of the half with Johnrose connecting with a sweet shot that struck Clive Wilson in front of goal.

The Clarets defence refused to buckle but they were given one scare just before the break when, following a short corner, Scott Patterson's deflected shot had Crichton diving to his left to turn the ball round the post.

However, if Burnley had offered a chink of light to Cambridge before the break, even that was blocked out in the second half. The U's became increasingly laboured in their attempts to find a way through until John Taylor added further physical presence late on.

However, Thomas was equal to anything he could muster and Crichton continued to stand firm and relieve the pressure with assured handling or the odd decisive punch.

At the other end Burnley grew in ambition as they sensed a possible second mid-way through the half, although in truth it was from long-range that they were most dangerous, Davis and the impressive Cook both warming the hands of Arjan Van Heusden.

However, one goal was always likely to be enough and so it proved as Burnley graduated, if not with honours, then certainly with something to spare.

Burnley (4-4-2)

Crichton;

(from right) West, Davis, Thomas, Smith (Brass 87);

Little (Mellon 72), Mullin, Cook, Johnrose;

Cooke, Branch (Lee 79).

Subs not used: Jepson, Armstrong.

Goal: Cooke 5mins.

Cambridge (4-3-3 manager Roy McFarland)

Van Heusden;

(from right) Ashbee, Duncan (Wanless 25), Joseph, Wilson (Preece 82);

Mustoe, Paterson, McKenzie;

Kyd (Taylor 68), Butler, Benjamin.

Subs not used: Youngs, Marshall (gk). Attendance: 4,328

Referee: John Kirkby (Sheffield) 7 Cooke 5 6

5

5

7

9 5

2

1

5

5 0 1

Goal attempts: Burnley 6, Cambridge 5

On target: Burnley 5, Cambridge 2

Off-side: Burnley 5, Cambridge 1

Corners: Burnley 7, Cambrudge 5

Fouls against: Burnley 9, Cambridge 5

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