BURNLEY captain Neil Moore is eyeing a double celebration by the end of the season after the Clarets put themselves within one win of Wembley last night.
A 1-0 victory over local rivals Preston North End earned Burnley a crack at Grimsby Town in the two-legged Auto Windscreens Shield northern final, with the first leg at Blundell Park in the week starting March 9.
And Moore is hoping that a trip to Wembley to play either Bournemouth or Walsall will go in hand with a respectable Second Division finish as Chris Waddle's men continue to climb out of trouble.
"It could be a great double, staying up and going to Wembley," said a delighted Moore after he and his defensive colleagues had withstood everything Preston could throw at them in a fighting rearguard action.
"It's a nice little thing to have in the back of your mind, thinking 'come on boys we have a chance of playing at Wembley here' and you might not get another chance.
"We have only lost a couple of games in 1998. We know what we can do and the suporters know what we can do as well so it could be a great end of season. The main thing though is that we don't go down."
Moore was at Wembley with Everton when they beat Manchester United in 1995 and shared in the celebrations after Paul Rideout's winner.
"It was nice. I have had a little taste but I just want to get on that pitch," added the Clarets' skipper.
"But Grimsby is going to be hard as well. We got battered down there in the League but we will be better equipped for it on the day." And Moore got the draw he wanted when Grimsby were first out of the hat today which means Burnley will have home advantage in the second leg. "When we get them back here the fans will come and it could be a nice night," he added.
Player-boss Waddle is also looking to avenge the League defeat at the hands of the Mariners, although made it clear what remains the most important target for his side.
Waddle said: "I suppose we owe them one after they beat us 4-1 before Christmas but the priority is beating Brentford and Wrexham and then when it comes to the week of playing Grimsby we will look at it.
"The players know the priority is three points on Saturday."
Moore acknowledged that fact, adding: "First and foremost is the League. Brentford is a massive game. It's another six-pointer and we have got to get back to winning ways in the League."
Andy Payton's fifth goal in eight games five minutes before half-time therefore proved enough before he limped off 15 minutes from time to face a fitness fight before Brentford's visit on Saturday.
Waddle revealed: "Andy has a bruise on his calf but it's more like a dead leg. We will ice it and treat it over the next couple of days and hopefully he will do a little bit on Friday but the main thing is that he is ready for Saturday because he is quite a naturally fit guy."
The draw for the Auto Windscreens Shield Southern Section is: Walsall v Bournemouth. First legs to be played week commencing March 9. Second legs to be played week commencing March 16.
Burnley reserves are at home to Sheffield United reserves in the Pontins League Second Division tonight (kick-off 7.15).
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article