AT 2.25 pm he strode out of the players' tunnel and ushered a war-weary platoon out on to the Ashton Gate pitch.

What followed was a remarkable spectacle.

A sight which would warm the hearts of Burnley fans the length and breadth of East Lancashire.

There, out on the turf, was the whole Burnley squad going through a frantic pre-match routine in the watery March sunshine.

Organising and orchestrating the gruelling warm-up was the new Turf Moor gaffer.

The Bristol City players watched in fascination as each Burnley player chased, harried and ran across the width of the playing surface.

Their new boss cajoled, encouraged, inspired and advised. In turn, he walked the turf from one white Endsleigh shirt to the next.

There was a constant dialogue between the chief of staff and his men. Psyching up his troops for the combat which lay ahead. His presence was immediate. A pat on the back for Paul Weller, a word of encouragement in Chris Vinnicombe's ear, a laugh and a joke with Gary Parkinson. An extended chat with his new skipper Steve Thompson.

Dressed in shorts, socks, boots and training top this was a classic "hands-on" managerial style.

His staff responded with an obvious spring in their step and the rejuvenation in spirit a new change in direction ultimately brings.

Most of all they appeared as if they were enjoying life again. To a man, the Burnley players had smiles etched across their faces. Ten minutes before kick-off he turned towards the gathering Burnley support and, hands above his head, acknowledged their presence with an extended clap.

A fascinating glimpse into the art of man-management and motivation.

In truth it was the long overdue sight most Burnley players and fans had ached to see for several months. Welcome to the brave new world of Adrian Heath.

Those two words have dominated Turf Moor chatter since the marriage was made official last Thursday.

The unanimous fans' choice, Heath will need precious time to formulate his own ideas and policy.

He has inherited a side he quite rightly pointed out had been underachieving this year. Heath will analyse and act.

If they don't play it his way they will be on a one-way ticket - out of Turf Moor. But he is a fair and just man. Each player will get their opportunity to stake a claim to convince the new boss.

But, whatever the coming months hold, and there will be set-backs, this was a smashing way to start your honeymoon.

OK. This was an Ashton Gate smash and grab raid which would have made Ronnie Biggs blush. Most importantly, though, it signalled a change in fortunes for Burnley. It halted the rot which had undermined Burnley's campaign from pre-season promotion favourites to relegation strugglers.

In truth, Bristol City must have wondered how on earth they let this one slip through their fingers.

They created and squandered enough chances and openings to have won SIX games, yet their finishing was appalling.

Joe Jordan, that bustling colossus of a striker with Scotland and Manchester United and now Ashton Gate chief, must have cried himself to sleep on Saturday night.

Couple that to an inspired return for goalkeeper Marlon Beresford and a terrific spirit in the Burnley camp, then there you have the narrative of the day.

It would be churlish to nit-pick just 48 hours into Adrian Heath's regime when he needs every ounce of help, encouragement and assistance.

And, while he agreed this was not a wholly inspiring Clarets performance, you have to put events firmly into perspective.

Burnley had won just one game in 1996 and had landed just a solitary league point since January.

But here was a Clarets side keeping their shape under intense pressure from the opposition when on other occasions they have dissolved.

In short this was a tremendous show of character and discipline which will lift the dressing room. A tonic for the troops.

Burnley required every bit of that grit and determination too as Bristol threatened to swamp them.

Just to underline Bristol's first-half dominance, they forced 12 corners and carved out EIGHT golden scoring opportunities. Burnley did not have a shot on goal!

David Seal sparked the onslaught when his firecracker of a volley clanged against Marlon Beresford's crossbar.

It was one-way traffic. Paul Agostino miskicked. Seal fired a free header straight at the Burnley goalkeeper. Martin Kuhl squandered. Agostino missed the target again. then Beresford produced a flying save to deny the hapless Seal!

You wondered how long Burnley could hold out as Seal, with the goal at his mercy missed the target, then Agostino elaborated too long in front of goal and back-heeled wide of an open goal. Burnley relieved the pressure as they enjoyed their best spell of the match. A David Eyres free-kick forced the largely redundant Keith Welch into action. Then Eyres slammed a rising shot against the Bristol post.

However, Bristol tossed away their best chance to snatch the points quarter of an hour from time.

A Brian Tinnion through ball found Matt Hewlett inside the danger area. He, in turn, was hauled down by Paul Weller inside the penalty box.

Marlon Beresford, who saved a penalty in his previous appearance at Rotherham in January, guessed right, diving to his left to smother the kick.

Then, with the seconds ticking away and Bristol still rampaging forward, Burnley grabbed a sensational winner.

Substitute Liam Robinson fed Kurt Nogan with an accurate through ball.

Burnley's leading marksman needed no second invitation. He held off the attentions of Matt Bryant before smashing home his only opportunity to hand Burnley their first win on foreign soil since December.

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