THE pilgrimages to Lourdes in search of miracles can be cancelled and any pacts with the devil put on hold.

Threatened Burnley finally banished the risk of a drop to the bottom division with a tenacious display at the Racecourse Ground, coinciding with Carlisle's crushing 4-0 reverse to Wycombe Wanderers.

Neither Carol Vorderman nor even Albert Einstein could come up with a mathematical formula now that could deny the Clarets Second Division status next season.

But on the day that Burnley finally clinched it, it was impossible not to wonder just how such a worrying situation was allowed to develop at all.

When Adrian Heath took charge on March 10 the Clarets lay in 16th position, comfortable enough, one suspected, even though morale was in tatters.

Then began a sequence of results that sent them into freefall and threatened to lead all the way to the Third Division.

Hovering just above the relegation zone, it took concentrated efforts away from home against champions Swindon, promotion candidates Notts County and now promotion hopefuls Wrexham to arrest the slide.

"It has been a traumatic couple of months that I would not like to have to go through again," admitted Heath, finally letting the guard down to acknowledge the deep fears he was feeling throughout this period.

"I had to put on a brave face because the last thing I wanted was an atmosphere of doom and gloom to emerge.

"But I simply didn't envisage the type of finish we've had.

"It took huge effort on the part of the players and a lot of character and that should benefit them in the long run."

What will benefit Burnley Football Club even more is the driving ambition of its manager who just hours after his team reached safety was already seeking to express his plans for the future.

"I want to emulate what I did as a player in my managerial role at Turf Moor," asserted Heath.

"It is nothing less than that.

"I'd be the first to acknowledge the enormity of the task but I am determined to bring the players here to make this club successful."

One of the first tasks he should undertake is to sign Charlie Bishop, currently on loan from Barnsley, on a permanent deal.

On Saturday Bishop was once again outstanding in Burnley's defence, decisive, commanding and committed.

This was mirrored indeed throughout the entire team which performed with a conviction thoroughly lacking in the 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers at Turf Moor last Tuesday night.

It is almost as if, like small children, they are afraid to embarrass the parents at home but once outside engage in free expression without any constraint.

Liam Robinson expressed himself in a big way on Saturday when he opened Burnley's account with a candidate for Goal of the Season.

Bishop threaded the ball through a group of Wrexham players to Paul Smith whose clever flick released Robinson.

Observing Andy Marriott, the ex-Nottingham Forest keeper who played on loan at Turf Moor under Jimmy Mullen, off his line, Robinson audaciously hoisted the ball over his head from 25 yards and into the net.

Within 10 minutes Marlon Beresford produced the save that might have swung this game.

Neat attacking play by Barry Jones was matched by Peter Ward who found Lee Jones charging forward on the right.

From just 10 yards and at a slight angle he unleashed a mighty drive for which Beresford dived full length to tip over the bar. This was during a period of intense pressure by the Welshmen in which they won four quick corners in succession.

But it was a Burnley set piece, a free kick from the right, which resulted in the second breakthrough.

Steve Thompson fired a tantalising ball into the box and Kurt Nogan, who had not scored in his previous 11 league games, rose above Barry Jones and directed his downward header beyond Marriott.

As they had done in the first half, Wrexham began the second half resolutely and Kevin Russell deserved severe censure for pulling his shot wide from eight yards in the 46th minute.

Barry Hunter and Lee Jones both headed over as Wrexham continued to press.

And it took another excellent stop by Beresford with 10 minutes remaining to deny Jones again.

Substitute Steve Morris narrowly failed to connect with Karl Connolly's cross before the ball ricocheted off Bishop onto Paul Weller and the upright, finally reaching Beresford's safe hands at the death.

Heath expressed the feeling of the entire team when he spoke about his relief afterwards.

But coming back along the M56 the sun shone, the fields glistened and the thought that bright days lie ahead for Burnley FC was a comfortable one.

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