BOUYANT Burnley returned to Turf Moor unbeaten after a hectic five-game tour of Northern Ireland.

But this tasty joust with the Smirnoff Irish League champions proved the Clarets' toughest assignment.

Dubbed the Wimbledon of Ulster, their manager Jim O'Rourke angrily dismissed claims that his team were 'hatchetmen' in his pre-match programme notes.

But his eager promise that Crusaders would make life hard for Burnley proved an accurate assessment.

League champions in 1994 and 1995. The Crues were fresh from a shock 2-1 UEFA Cup victory over Zalgiris Vilnius and winners of the Stena Line Trophy in Scotland a week ago.

Already red-hot favourites to win the Ulster title, Crusaders' play was effective, tough and uncompromising.

"We knew we were in for a really hard game against Crusaders and that was exactly right," observed Clarets boss Adrian Heath.

"Speaking to people in Ireland they said that not too many clubs get a result at Seaview. You could definitely see why.

"This was a stern little test. They got the ball forward quickly and really got in amongst us.

"But I was pleased how the lads stood up to that type of pressure."

Heath added: "The main factor to come out of the tour is that we've finished unbeaten from five games and not conceded a single goal.

"I'm very satisfied with that aspect of our build-up as we move towards August 17.

"The last week has done a terrific amount for morale. I could not have asked for more from my squad.

"The players are a lot fitter now and generally more prepared for what is ahead.

"They've conducted themselves very well. Their application and discipline has been first class. We've not had a yellow card on the whole tour."

Burnley, not surprisingly, appeared a little leg weary against their enthusiastic opponents following a demanding seven days of action.

There was a familiar face at the heart of the Crusaders defence. Former Crewe Alexandra stopper Aaron Callaghan was handed the tricky task of marking Kurt Nogan.

And it was Burnley who nearly stole into an early lead inside the neat but compact stadium, a mile from Belfast city centre and the Shankhill and Falls Road.

The Clarets made an industrious start too, pressing Crusaders for an early opening.

And Nigel Gleghorn, fit again after injuring his ankle on Thursday against Glentoran, was desperately unlucky to see a goal-bound effort spooned onto the Crusaders cross-bar.

Slowly, though, Crusaders got into their stride. Their direct style occasionally troubling the Clarets defence.

Gerry Harrison again worked exceptionally hard alongside Peter Swan and Mark Winstanley.

Winstanley, in fact, has had an outstanding tour of the province.

And with the arrival of Vince Overson at Turf Moor, the manager has plenty of options at the heart of his defence with the season under a fortnight away.

Winstanley twice rescued the Clarets when Crusaders threatened to break the stalemate.

The Irishmen came close twice. First, Paul Dwyer rapped the angle of the Burnley goal before Steve Baxter thumped a shot wide.

But Crusaders saw their best opportunity fall at the feet of Glenn Hunter.

Once again, though, the alertness of Marlon Beresford saw the Clarets goalkeeper smother the danger at the far post.

There were loud cheers from the healthy following of Burnley fans for the arrival of Portuguese substitute Bambo.

And within a minute he had Burnley's best opportunity of the game.

Facing a one-on-one chase with a Crusaders defender, Bambo got there first only to see his effort fly inches over the target.

Bambo then turned provider. But Steve Thompson's stinging drive was just off target.

But a wholly satisfactory week for Burnley and Adrian Heath.

To return home unbeaten is an achievement in itself but doing so without conceding a goal was especially pleasing.

The morale of the squad appears sky high and Heath has avoided any major injuries. A job well done. CRUSADERS: McKeown, Dornan, Mellon, Dunlop, Callaghan, Hunter, Dwyer, Dunne, Baxter, Hunter, Burrows.

BURNLEY: Beresford (Russell 75), Weller (Brass 60) Eyres, Harrison (Swan 75), Winstanley, Hoyland, Matthew, Thompson, Nogan (Bambo 60), Smith (Boer 75), Gleghorn.

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