CHRIS Waddle unveiled Burnley's new mean machine and declared: "We are getting stronger every match."

Waddle saw Burnley extend their unbeaten Division Two sequence to four matches after last night's battling 2-2 draw at Plymouth Argyle.

Burnley's precious point still leaves the Clarets anchored to the bottom of the table.

But with successive home games against Bournemouth and Walsall - the Turf Moor player-boss is increasingly confident that Burnley can make a charge towards mid-table security.

Waddle - who created Burnley's second half equaliser for Gerry Creaney and turned in a stunning second half show - observed: "We showed terrific character against Plymouth and I was proud of the way my players stuck to a difficult task.

"We are starting to get things together now and that has really shown in our performances over the past month.

"I can sense a new belief and a new character about the team and I'm really pleased with that.

"Look at the way we battled and fought at Wrexham and we did exactly the same at Plymouth last night. "The most important thing for me though is that we are developing good habit and a firm character-base. That is going to be a vital aspect for us over the coming months."

Waddle added: "We started the game like a house on fire and created some superb chances. But Plymouth came back really strongly and that was the true test for us.

"The conditions were terribly difficult at times, with a vicious swirling wind, but I thought that we adapted quite well in the circumstances. The biggest disappointment was that we gave a bad goal away just after half time.

"But it said a lot to me about our self-belief that we came back to take a point and nearly win all three.

"To be honest I was a little bit disappointed we didn't win the game.

"But any point away from home is a good one and I have to be pleased with the result."

On the first half penalty - awarded for a foul by Simon Collins on leading scorer Gerry Creaney - Waddle said: "In my book it was a definite penalty.

"Whether it was an accident or not, the player (Collins) stopped Gerry having a shot because he fouled him by catching his heels.

"I thought he was late with the challenge and I don't believe the referee had any other option but to award a penalty."

Previous sport story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.