CHRIS Waddle today jumped to the defence of under-fire goalkeeper Marlon Beresford.

Waddle saw Burnley clinch their first league away win from Turf Moor since last March with a thrilling 3-2 win at Luton.

But he defended Beresford's first half mistake which led to Luton's second goal.

"Marlon Beresford is one of the best goalkeepers in the Nationwide League and things like that happen to keepers in football.

"He was at fault for Luton's second goal and he held his hands up at half time and admitted it.

"But he is too good a goalkeeper to let things like that affect him long-term.

"He's a brave and resolute footballer and he will bounce back from this.

"As a manager you have to watch how you talk to goalkeepers because if you upset them too much their confidence goes. But Marlon has had a great season so far and I am sure that will continue."

The stylish victory at Kenilworth Road marked Burnley's first League win on foreign soil for eight months.

Waddle admitted: "Things are coming together for us now and we are starting to fire as a team. "It was a fine performance and we fully deserved the result, especially for our second half display.

"I said to the lads at half time that if they could get an equaliser then they would go on and win the match. The second half certainly went according to the script."

And Waddle had special praise for his defenders who withstood a late Luton barrage.

"Our back four were absolutely superb at Luton last night and they were the basis of our win.

"We are showing some good form now and we are really moving into gear.

"When I took over as Burnley manager people were saying get your money on us for promotion. But these things take time and, although I am not ruling out promotion this time, it is a long-term thing.

"We are pushing up the Second Division table now and this result sets us up for a mighty derby match at Blackpool on Saturday.

"My only disappointments from last night were the two free kicks we conceded.

"The first was a thunderous strike, but Luton's second goal was straight out of Sunday morning football. I certainly wasn't happy with that."

Burnley Reserves are in Pontin's League Cup action at Oldham Athletic tonight.

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