Hartlepool 0 Burnley 2

MARVELLOUS Marlon Beresford is worth his weight in gold to Burnley.

Again he underlined what a major role he plays for the Clarets with an inspired display of the goalkeeping art at Hartlepool.

The Third Division strugglers were left on the starting blocks as Burnley cruised into round two of the Auto Windscreens Shield.

But Burnley had Beresford to thank before the Clarets strangled the life out of Hartlepool.

Beresford made FOUR magnificent saves to put Burnley firmly on the road to victory.

"Marlon produced the goods and two of his saves were breathtaking," commented manager Adrian Heath.

"He had long periods in the game when he didn't have to do very much. But when he was called into action he produced the goods. That is the sign of a quality goalkeeper."

While Beresford played an integral role, this was a combative and professional show from the classy Clarets. It was just a shame that only 921-Harlepool's smallest gate for a year-turned up to witness it.

There was probably more paying punters in the giant Bingo Hall on the sea-front, but that didn't worry the hardy bunch of Clarets fans who had followed their team to this bleak north-east outpost.

They gave Burnley a rousing ovation at the final whistle. And rightly so because this was a job very well done.

Burnley are really starting to look the part now and, in truth, Hartlepool's makeshift side never really had the teeth to hurt Adrian Heath's men.

At last, Burnley are beginning to produce that impressive Turf Moor form on foreign soil.

The result was never in doubt from the moment Kurt Nogan fired Burnley in front with his 13th league and cup goal of the season.

Before that, though, Beresford had rescued Burnley twice inside 90 frantic seconds.

First, former Chelsea man Joe Allon showed poise on the ball to send Mark Cooper free on goal. He fired in a sweet, goal-bound drive, but Beresford was at his agile best, beating the opportunity away.

From the resulting corner, the luckless Cooper was again denied as the Burnley keeper flung himself across the face of goal to keep a powerful header out.

They were crucial saves because Burnley had the lead a minute later.

The Clarets took the sting out of Hartlepool's early pressure hitting them on the counter-attack with a swift and deadly break.

Andy Cooke broke free on the right flank. His cross wrong-footed the Hartlepool defence and Nogan needed no second invitation, firing home from 10 yards.

After that it was exhibition stuff from the Clarets, who turned on the style with a performance of poise, polish and assurance.

Paul Smith and Nigel Gleghorn ran the midfield while Vince Overson, Peter Swan and Chris Brass were in mean mood at the back.

The only black mark was the second half injury to Overson, but at least Burnley's strength in depth will be able to compensate for his loss against leaders Brentford at the weekend. There was an added bonus for Burnley fans with the first sight of midfielder Glen Little-a £100,000 buy from Glentoran last month.

Little made his Clarets bow as a second half substitute and showed why Burnley had tracked him for the past year, producing some deft touches.

It was fitting that Burnley wrapped the tie up with a class strike from David Eyres and a goal fit to win any cup encounter.

Eyres had a field day in his wing-back role and caused Hartlepool no end of problems with a swashbuckling display.

But the Burnley winner was a real treat.

Paul Smith was the supply line with a splendid diagonal pass.

Eyres cut inside Graeme Lee, bought himself time and space, before sending an exquisite chip shot over the helpless Paul O'Connor.

It was a wonderful strike from Eyres, coming just three days after that FA Cup corker at Walsall.

It takes Burnley's run of unbeaten games to eight and just one reverse in the last 13 league and cup outings.

And that's just what the doctor ordered as the busy Christmas and New Year programme looms large.

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