York City 3 Burnley 1 - Tony Dewhurst's big match verdict

BURNLEY displayed the good, the bad and the ugly at Bootham Crescent.

And it was no wonder then that Paul Barnes wore the expression of a condemned man under his yellow jersey as he tried to find a little solace from his first goal of the season.

Because Burnley's suicidal tendencies handed York City victory on a platter.

While Barnes' strike finally launched Burnley's Division Two offensive against his former club - who could have predicted it would be those usually reliable rear gunners who would let them down in their hour of need.

"I'd have swopped my goal against York for a 1-0 win," reflected Barnes.

"To come back and score against your old club is always a bit special but the disappointment of this result is intense for all of us."

Burnley conceded three second half howlers to let York canter to victory in a game the Clarets had bossed almost totally for an hour.

There was no question about that, Burnley were thorough and composed and restricted York to an Andy Tolson header and a couple of half chances. But when Burnley had completed their biggest test they folded like a pack of cards.

For the first time this season, though, defensive frailties were cruelly exposed as York delivered Burnley a stunning knockout blow inside 20 minutes of defensive mayhem.

It all promised to be so different after Barnes had struck with such venom to deliver Burnley's first league goal since last May and to end a goal drought which had stretched for over 350 minutes and six league games.

First, though, let's wind the clock back to the moment when Burnley appeared bang on course for victory.

It was a point to savour as Mark Ford originated the move with a clever dummy on the half-way line.

Ford embarked on a twisting, turning 40-yard run before delivering a peach of a pass to Barnes.

The Burnley striker found time and space, before despatching a sweet finish past the helpless figure of Mark Samways.

How the Burnley bench danced with delight while Barnes disappeared under a solid wall of jubilant colleagues.

One Burnley fan was so overcome with emotion and joy he foolishly raced onto the pitch in a bid to shake hands with each Burnley player in turn. He quickly disappeared with a couple of stewards through the exit gates and into the streets of York - and maybe he was the lucky one.

Because after an hour of almost complete domination, York took charge.

And guess what? It was an ex-Claret who did the damage as Alan Little's team drew level.

Big defender Steve Davis had arrived from Barnsley only 24 hours earlier on loan and he was on hand to spark York's revival.

Burnley were at sixes and sevens as Graeme Murty swung in a corner from the left.

Neil Tolson gave a helping hand and Davis, almost completely unmarked, powered home from close range.

It was a dream goal for Davis who spent four seasons at Turf Moor from 1987 to 1991.

Three minutes later and York were in front and what an unhappy moment for Marlon Beresford.

Nobody can be critical of Beresford's brilliant start to the new season. You cannot legislate for mistakes like this, but it did change the course of the contest.

There was no danger as Beresford fired a wayward kick straight to the feet of Rodney Rowe.

The striker could hardly believe his good fortune as Rowe fired a shot over Beresford's head and into the roof of the net.

It proved a deva- stating blow for the Clarets who could just not raise their game again as York swamped the visitors with wave after wave of pressure. The arrival of Glen Little gave Burnley brief hope and Michael Williams was unlucky to see a shot deflect just wide after Little had played a part in the move.

Earlier, Chris Brass had defended admirably, heading Neil Tolson's effort off the line.

But there was little he could do to deny Tolson eight minutes from time as the striker broke clear of Brass's attentions to bury his fierce shot into Beresford's net.

On a day when all eyes were on Burnley's front line, it was the defence which finally conspired to hand York the points.

A defence which had conceded only three goals since the big kick-off a month ago leaked the same number inside 20 minutes.

There were positive signs at Chesterfield last Sunday that Burnley had turned the corner.

Their shape and formation had more balance and and to score that goal was psychologically important.

But to see the defence so easily breached is surely another worry for Chris Waddle as he attempts to spark Burnley into life.

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