PISTOL-PACKING Adrian Heath aims his fire at promotion-hunting Blackpool tonight.

And he wants another show of true grit from his Burnley outlaws after the Ashton Gate hold-up.

The Turf Moor player-manager guided the Clarets to their first Division Two win in eight games at Bristol City and he said: "I am hoping that excellent win will prove a springboard for us. It has restored a lot of confidence.

"We know it's going to be a very difficult game and Blackpool will make it extremely hard for us.

"I think the Blackpool game has come at a good time, as much as I'd have preferred a free week to work and prepare on one or two things.

"The lads thought the 1-0 defeat to Blackpool at Turf Moor was a harsh result. They are keen to put the record straight."

The new Turf Moor player-manager says he is pleased with the reaction from the Clarets squad since his appointment five days ago.

But the search for fresh faces to bolster his squad will continue this week with Heath keen to bring in a striker and a defender.

He added: "They have all responded really well since I took the job. The lads are nice, lively and bright.

"I couldn't question their determination on Saturday. Both Gerry Harrison and Mark Winstanley came home with stitches and that speaks volumes for the commitment to the cause.

"There were a lot of good points to come out of the Bristol game and I'm looking to make further progress tonight."

Heath - who forecast Blackpool would mount a serious promotion challenge - remains convinced that the Seasiders are on course for an automatic berth. Heath said: "It doesn't surprise me that Blackpool are mounting a big challenge.

"They are very well-organised and they've got people like Tony Ellis, Andy Preece and James Quinn. They are a big threat.

"All credit to Sam Allardyce and Phil Brown though because whenever I see Blackpool they look well-motivated. They don't go through the motions. They're not conceding too many goals which is always a good sign.

Heath will give a late fitness test to Gerry Harrison who had five stitches in a head wound at Bristol.

"Gerry is okay again but when Jamie Hoyland pictured above right, came on as substitute he gave me a little bit of a poser for tonight because he performed really well," added Heath. "We will wait and see."

Heath ran the rule over last night's Pontins League clash between Stoke City and Wolves at the Victoria Ground where striker Martin Carruthers featured.

"It was a good game to take in because both Wolves and Stoke have an abundance of reserve team talent on show," said the Clarets boss. "Carruthers performed well and he looked sharp."

Former Burnley striker Graham Lancashire is out for the rest of the season after damaging ligaments at the weekend. Lancashire, who joined Wigan in a £55,000 deal from Preston North End on Friday, had just returned to Deepdale after a month on loan at Springfield Park.

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