"WE'VE taken a giant step to safety," declared a delighted Adrian Heath after his first Turf Moor victory as boss.

"It's been a long wait but that is a massive stride for us," said Heath after Burnley's 2-1 win over Peterborough.

But his joy was tempered because of the yellow card picked up by goal hero Peter Swan, who now faces a suspension during the run-in.

And Carlisle's defeat at home to Wrexham means that the Clarets are now four points ahead of the Cumbrians with two games in hand.

The threat of relegation remains, but Heath's safety target is within reach.

"I think something around the 50-point mark should be enough to stay up because Carlisle can only get 52 even if they win all their games.

"And that is within our reach. "Another win would probably be enough to see us safe but from my point of view the sooner we get it the better.

"Then we can start preparing for the summer."

Heath took over in March following the departure of Jimmy Mullen, but Saturday's win was only the second of his brief reign.

"It has been something of a crash course in management but I wouldn't change a thing," he said

"I knew things would be hard but I didn't anticipate the side being in as much trouble as we have been.

"But the situation has given me a great opportunity to take a look at players in a pressure situation."

Heath was the first to acknowledge that the victory over Peterborough was hardly a classic.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"At the moment the only thing that counts is points.

"And I think we showed enough determination.

"It wasn't the prettiest match but at the moment it is all about winning games.

"And while it wasn't a great game I felt they were both great goals. "David Eyres did really well for the first to get round his man and Warren made a great run in at the far post to finish.

"The second goal was an equally impressive finish from Swanny."

Heath believes that the win will help to provide one vital ingredient that has been missing in recent weeks-confidence.

And his side will certainly need to this week because they face daunting trips to promotion chasers Swindon and Notts County.

But he now faces a number of suspension problems.

Keeper Wayne Russell will miss the trip to Swindon on Wednesday because he has a one-game ban following his sending off against Bournemouth. Gerry Harrison - sent off against Bradford - will miss three matches (Notts County, Bristol Rovers and Wrexham).

And Saturday's hero Peter Swan will also miss the Wrexham trip after his booking against Peterborough took him over the 33-point mark.

The Clarets A team lost 3-0 at Stoke City and the B team lost 1-0 at Stockport..

Coach Terry Pashley is appealing for accommodation for young apprentice players for next season. Anyone who can help should contact the club on (01282) 700000.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.