Clarets lack fizz

Because the Clarets face a mighty uphill struggle to stay in the competition after last night's mauling at the Valley.

Slick Charlton had the tie in the can and victory sealed by half-time - thanks to Burnley's off-colour capital show.

Now, unless the Turf Moor men can produce a remarkable second leg recovery, the odds are firmly stacked against them going into the velvet bag a week tomorrow.

There could be absolutely NO argument that Charlton deserved their handsome win.

But it was the manner of Burnley's performance which proved the most disappointing factor.

To be brutally frank, they were second best and their First Division opponents had an easy ride. All the good habits - graft, discipline and endeavour - the trademarks of recent successes, were absent without leave.

As their manager admitted afterwards: "We were never at the races."

The margin of Charlton's victory reflected their dominance. And there was little to enthuse about once Alan Curbishley's side had forged ahead for a second time.

Yet, before the Thames floodgates opened, Burnley had briefly threatened to expose Charlton.

The tie exploded into life in sensational style with two goals in the space of seven, action-packed minutes.

Yet it proved a false dawn for the sorry Clarets.

Manager Adrian Heath was afforded the luxury of fielding the same side for the fourth consecutive game. Yet, at times, they played like strangers.

And it was Burnley who had to soak up the early Charlton pressure. Paul Mortimer set the ball rolling for the Valiants as Mark Winstanley was forced to take evasive action, hoofing his effort off the line.

It was an ominous warning sign. Three minutes later Charlton had the lead.

Burnley were unable to contain the pace of Anthony Barness on the right flank and he whipped in a pin-point centre, completely unopposed.

It was meat and drink to giant striker Carl Leaburn. He lapped up the opening, heading into the far corner.

The Charlton goal shocked Burnley into life and two minutes later they were back on level terms.

It was a classic counter-attack, begun by the hard-working Paul Barnes.

Kurt Nogan collected his pass and a raking, cross-field ball found David Eyres overlapping on the left. Eyres said thank-you very much and whipped in an unstoppable shot past Mike Salmon - his third Coca-Cola Cup goal of the campaign.

It was blood and thunder stuff, yet there was little hint of the disaster ahead.

Indeed, Burnley had caused Charlton some problems, creating frequent opportunities.

Burnley, though, were vulnerable to the height of centre-forward Leaburn and the ruthless quick-fire runs of Shaun Newton.

This lad would give Linford Christie a run for his money and it's a long time since I've seen such explosive pace in the Football League.

And it was the giant figure of Leaburn who was instrumental in taking the tie beyond Burnley.

There was minimal danger as Leaburn chested down a clever through ball for John Robinson.

The busy midfielder let fly from 25 yards. Marlon Beresford appeared to have the effort covered but the ball slid underneath the Burnley goalkeeper and into the goal. It moved Charlton up another gear but not before Kurt Nogan spurned a chance for Burnley to draw level again.

The Turf Moor hit-man curled a shot inches wide of the target after sterling work by Gerry Harrison.

But as Burnley tried in vain to find another opening, Charlton put the tie beyond the Clarets.

Burnley were caught cold as Stuart Balmer's cross fed Bradley Allen, the kid brother of Clive, who fired in a bullet header.

Charlton were not finished with Burnley yet and the Clarets had all the stuffing knocked out of them as John Robinson grabbed his second three minutes after half-time.

Charlton's performance had certainly underlined the gulf which exists between First and Second Division, yet Burnley had proved more than charitable. The arrival of substitute Paul Smith gave Burnley a welcome lift.

Yet Beresford was forced to make two more saves from Bradley Allen as Charlton sought to make their trip to Turf Moor a formality.

There was a late flurry of quality pressure from Burnley. First Paul Barnes saw a shot hit the sidenetting and then Jamie Hoyland had a header cleared off the line seconds before he hit the post.

But it was too little too late as Charlton are red-hot favourites to reach round three.

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