BURNLEY'S tormentor in chief Kurt Nogan must have left the current crop of Clarets feeling like Lennox Lewis when they woke up today to the confirmation that they are in the relegation places for the first time this season.

Just as Lewis was on the rough end of a result over the weekend, Burnley were also unlucky not to get the verdict in their own heavyweight clash with their derby rivals.

And to make the blow harder to take, the Clarets undoing was of their own making.

A blunder by Steve Davis allowed former Turf Moor team-mate Nogan the chance to harden Preston's promotion credentials with a gloriously taken 61st-minute winner.

Nogan's delightful first-time chip from the corner of the penalty area was his fourth goal in as many games for Preston against Burnley since he left Turf Moor.

It was more than Preston deserved but David Moyes's side look to have all the hallmarks of a promotion-winning side if the yardstick of winning when not playing well is anything to go by.

Much of Preston's lack of productivity was down to Burnley, who picked themselves up off the canvas after their last two home knock-outs.

Manager Stan Ternent rung the changes and his re-shaped side looked up for the fight and solid enough to carry out their intentions.

Ternent re-built his defence with only Davis starting in the back line that had been mauled by Manchester City in mid-week.

Gordon Armstrong returned to the sweeper position and passed a test of character given the lukewarm reception he received from the home fans before the start.

That was the only low note from the Burnley faithful, however, as they responded to Burnley's greater endeavour and co-ordination and backed their side to the hilt, applauding them off in defeat.

Chris Brass and Ally Pickering returned from suspension and Pickering in particular made a massive improvement.

And on the other flank, Tom Cowan came in for an impressive debut following his arrival from Huddersfield Town.

Terrier by name and terrier by nature, the little Scot gave a real up-and-at-em performance, and also delivers a mean throw-in.

Yet most eye-catching was loan signing Paul Cook who gave the sort of midfield performance that has been missing for too long at Turf Moor.

Cook dictated the pace and pulled the strings for the Clarets, with his range of passing encouraging Andy Payton and the wide pair of Glen Little and Graham Branch.

Mark Ford could count himself unlucky to be left out but Cook also brought the best out of Micky Mellon who rediscovered his zest and his penchant for forward runs.

Burnley did lack a cutting edge at times, although had the chance to claim all three points at home for the first time since November and twice hit the woodwork.

Payton worked tirelessly up front and looked eager for the challenge.

His support came from Little and Branch in the absence of a second recognised striker and on occasions, notably in the first half, he could have done with a bit more help.

But Burnley solved the major problem of preventing the opposition from stamping their mark on the game. And when Ternent can conjure up a partner for Payton from the treatment room or transfer market, then the Clarets, without a goal in four games, will still have realistic aspirations of beating the drop.

Payton was desperately unlucky not to end his own goal drought just six-minutes after the Sky cameras locked into the action.

Retrieving a Cook pass, the Clarets leading scorer ignored the presence of Little and cut inside to deliver a left-foot shot which hit the base of the far post.

Such is the thin divide between success and failure and Burnley were on the wrong side of it again when Payton was blocked off by Sean Gregan as he ran to meet Little's pass but was not awarded a penalty.

Davis and Cook both tried their luck from distance before Mellon had the best chance to break the deadlock.

But instead of squaring the ball to Payton he was rushed into a weak shot which David Lucas saved just before the break.

There were no similarities between this and the abject performance Burnley had put up against City, other than the fact that Little again hit the bar early in the second half.

Then a goal might not have changed the result. But this time had Little's angled effort from Branch's cross gone in then Burnley would almost certainly have won the game.

Instead Nogan delivered the decisive strike just six minutes later, making the most of one of only two Preston chances.

The second fell to Steve Basham moments later but he shot weakly at Paul Crichton.

Burnley took a few minutes to reclaim their grip on the game before finishing with a flurry.

But despite peppering the Preston penalty area they were rarely able to locate a player in a goal-scoring position.

Mellon went closest with a 15-yarder that was hacked off the line.

And then after Little had gone close following a one-two with Payton, Mellon again nearly saved the day.

But his floated effort sailed just the wrong side of the post in stoppage time to leave Burnley ahead on the judge's cards but behind where it mattered.

The Clarets proved, however, that they aren't punch-drunk after their recent beatings and will come out fighting in the struggle that lies ahead.

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