Wrexham 1 Burnley 1 THE half-time on-pitch 'marriage' of Wrexham mascot Rocky Robin to his luckless fiancee must have been close to landing the Welsh club with a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

But Stan Ternent won't have minded the wedding theme as his combination of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue got Burnley's relegation fight back on the rails in encouraging style.

Chris Brass provided the old, Tom Cowan the new, loan signing Paul Cook the borrowed and Micky Mellon an unstoppable strike almost out of the blue.

Mellon's equaliser was no more than Burnley deserved for another improved showing.

Their recent dearth of goals, allied to some decent openings that came to nought, suggested that it might be another of those days until the midfielder popped up un-noticed to crash home a volley 15 minutes from the end and stop a run of four successive defeats. Mellon's goal, which cancelled out an early Dave Brammer piledriver, could be priceless in terms of adding to Burnley's belief that they the can climb away from trouble.

But the other components of the bride's collection were equally vital for what the Clarets achieved on Saturday and for what the rest of the season may hold for them.

Brass had an excellent game at the heart of the defence and is taking his chance to play in his favoured position with two hands.

To his left, Cowan confirmed the impression he made on his Clarets debut but tackled even more vigorously and got forward with great gusto.

And Cook again showed that when he has the ball Burnley can play constructive, attractive football.

The on-loan midfielder had his grip on proceedings relaxed in the middle of the contest, but his composure will be vital in the forthcoming games against fellow relegation candidates. There remains a question mark about Burnley's potency in attack and the need for a second central striker to support Andy Payton, particularly at home.

But Burnley finally look to be getting it right defensively which bodes well for what could be a nervy run-in. For all their ability and verve in midfield, the Wrexham attack was kept largely in check and rarely threatened Paul Crichton's goal.

Brass and Cowan played a big part in that but the whole of the back five contributed.

Ally Pickering brings a degree of comfort to the right-back slot and Gordon Armstrong's presence at sweeper provided an excellent insurance policy for Brass and Steve Davis, who was back to his commanding best where it matters most - in defence. If that meanness can be combined with a sharper edge further up the field, then Burnley should escape a bottom four place that is still theirs despite earning a first point in five games.

Burnley's opening against a side unbeaten in the League since the end of January made a mockery of their lowly status.

Cook stroked the ball around with Mellon in support and Glen Little tore holes in the Wrexham defence.

One of his crosses gave Andy Payton the sort of chance he has been waiting for for weeks but the striker, perhaps out of practice, glanced his header wide.

Little then peeled off Dean Spink and sent a shot just wide before disaster struck for Burnley. A mis-placed pass from Mellon found only Brammer and from 25 yards he blasted a right-foot shot beyond the helpless Crichton.

Like air being let from a tyre, Burnley were deflated for a spell as Wrexham took control, only an excellent tackle by Cowan preventing a possible second goal from Mark McGregor.

Gradually the Clarets regained a foothold, showing a refreshing threat from set-pieces.

But shots from Little and Brass and a Davis header early in the second half were the nearest they came to a leveller. Wrexham's search for a clincher saw them up the tempo again but Burnley stood firm, Brass averting the one moment of real danger when he cleared off the line from the lively Martyn Chalk.

But in a game where both sides enjoyed periods of ascendency, Burnley finally made one of theirs count.

Davis had tested Tommy Wright from distance and Payton put a header just over the top following further persistence from Cowan before Mellon ended the goal famine. A well worked move involving Little, Pickering and Payton gave Mellon a shaft of daylight in the penalty area and he took the opportunity wonderfully, swivelling to volley home Burnley's first goal in seven hours of football.

Like buses another almost arrived immediately but Davis's header fell the wrong side of the post.

Wrexham also sensed a possible winner and it took a fantastic save from Crichton to deny the impressive Brammer a second from long-range.

Had Branch possessed his accuracy the result could have gone Burnley's way in the final minute as Branch diverted Mellon's free-kick wide of the target.

But while the wait for a win last achieved eight games ago goes on, the Clarets have at least re-laid some foundations for a successful take-off.

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