ELEVEN months after relegation from Division One Burnley are in grave danger of nose-diving into the Football League basement.

That is why the next 180 minutes of football represent the most decisive period in the recent history of Burnley Football Club.

Tomorrow night the Clarets face Bournemouth at Turf Moor. On Easter Saturday play-off chasing Bradford City are in town.

With now just SIX points separating Burnley from the relegation pack - maximum points MUST be taken to ensure a safety cushion and Second Division status next season.

Because, believe me, the last thing Burnley need right now is the prospect of going into the last month of the campaign locked into a desperate relegation scenario.

While relegation is an improbale prospect with three of the next four four fixtures at Turf Moor, and two games in hand on Rotherham and Carlisle, precious points need to be taken.

The question is: Does the Burnley squad possess the strength of character to win those vital games?

Only they can answer that stark question - with the right results on the pitch.

But one or two should be looking in the mirror today and asking themselves: Can we offer Adrian Heath and our supporters more? In the last four away games Burnley have leaked an astonishing 15 goals. They went down 3-1 at Blackpool, 3-1 at Crewe, 5-0 at Oxford, and a gloomy 4-1 defeat at Wycombe. A miserable return.

Say what you like, that amounts to relegation form.

Burnley were cruelly exposed on a first ever visit to the compact Adams Park.

Built at the end of a cul-de-sac, on a bleak industrial estate on the outskirts of the Home Counties town, hundreds of loyal Clarets supporters boosted the Wycombe gate.

And they deserved much, much, more than the lack-lustre show served up.

The subdued atmosphere and a truly bizarre setting, Wycombe's stadium is carved out of a valley and sits at the entrance to the tranquil Loakes country park, somehow set the tone for the day.

And when Turf Moor player-manager Adrian Heath, pictured above right, emerged to reflect on a miserable defeat, it proved a very sombre post-match reflection.

Rarely have I ever seen Heath so disappointed, and I suspect a number of home truths were delivered after the final whistle.

Understandly, he did not want to discuss the game or ponder on the day's events. He was too upset for that.

Instead, quite rightly, he insisted that the players should focus their thoughts and attentions on the coming week. "I've said all I had to say in the dressing room and I don't want to dwell on this game," said Heath.

"I just hope the players realise how important it is on Tuesday and next Saturday."

Heath, as predicted, wore the claret and blue for the first time since his appointment as player-boss three weeks ago.

And he axed three faces from the 5-0 defeat at Oxford. Out went Paul Weller, Warren Joyce and Andy Cooke.

And in came Peter Swan, new boy Charlie Bishop, who made a storming debut, and Heath himself.

Swan, Bishop and Winstanley - who sound like a firm of solicitors - formed the backbone of the three-man central defence, with full-backs Chris Vinnicombe and Gary Parkinson pushing on.

Gerry Harrison, so impressive of late, resumed a midfield role with Heath acting as a link man to Kurt Nogan.

Yet Wycombe - 5-2 winners over Bradford City four days earlier - were soon dominating. They were quickly on the goal trail.

Steve McGavin served notice on Burnley, whisking a splendid shot wide of Marlon Beresford's post.

But Mickey Bell was instrumental in providing Wycombe's charge. He launched a centre across the face of the Burnley goal, and Dave Carroll reacted smartly for Keith Ryan to hammer home from close range.

Carroll had an overhead kick hacked off the line and, as Wycombe exposed Burnley further, they increased their lead.

This time it was the dangerous McGavin who provided the ammunition - and Ryan guided his header home from 12 yards out to leave Marlon Beresford rooted to the line.

It was a hammer blow for Burnley who only created two chances of note in the opening half.

Kurt Nogan saw a shot flash across the face of goal, then Adrian Heath had his close-range shot saved by Sieb Dykstra, after a smart build-up involving Nogan, Swan and the player-manager.

There was another blow to Burnley's hopes two minutes before half-time when Chris Vinnicombe was stretchered from the field. David Eyres switched in at left-back while Tottenham Hotspur striker, Paul Mahorn, signed on transfer deadline day, made his Clarets debut.

And the Spurs forward breathed new life into Burnley with a superbly taken goal.

Adrian Heath's throw found Kurt Nogan in space. The leading scorer proved too quick for full-back Jason Cousins and his centre was met at the near post by Mahorn, whose finish was clinical.

Burnley enjoyed their best spell of the match as they pressed hard for a leveller.

But, as we've seen so often in recent months, Burnley's challenge faded and Wycombe simply wrapped the game up.

Striker Miquel DeSouza headed over a gaping target, after McGavin had provided a perfect opportunity. Then, with the Clarets defence wide open, Gerry Harrison hacked a Dave Carroll shot clear.

But DeSouza quickly made amends for his earlier miss, drilling home a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

It was the final ignominy when substitute David Farrell ran in unmarked to slide home Mickey Bell's cross with not a Burnley player in sight.

Now, the Clarets have to bury the memory of another away-day calamity and harvest enough points in the next six days to confirm their Secon Division status next season.

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