THE heavyweight punches traded at the 98th Annual General Meeting left this Division Two clash a virtual Christmas Punch and Judy sideshow.

The sparring in the Centre Spot a couple of hours before kick-off would have given a Mike Tyson versus Frank Bruno contest a run for their money.

Pity, then, that Bristol City and Burnley hardly had time to lace up the gloves before time was called on this grim spectacle.

One punter reckoned Christmas shopping with the wife would have been more of an adrenlain rush than this 90 minutes of tedium. I reckon 9,000 had agreed with him by the final whistle.

All the more unfortunate, I suppose, after Jimmy Mullen had pinned his New Year resolution to the dressing room door before kick-off.

His target: Automatic promotion to Division One.

The Burnley chief is quietly confident that the Clarets can grab a top two spot next May without the need for the dreaded play-offs.

Mullen told a highly-charged AGM: "We are getting there. We have taken time to adapt to Division Two. We have by now, I believe, established ourselves as a top six side.

"While that has got to be our minimum requirement, I do feel we can put enough results away to get us automatic promotion. "We have shown encouraging and excellent form of late. I believe there is a lot for the supporters to look forward to in the second half of the season.

"I set very, very high standards for my players. When we do not attain those standards I become very frustrated."

Unfortunately, this was one of those days when Burnley failed to shine.

Lack-lustre and devoid of enough ideas to unlock an ordinary Bristol City outfit, the Clarets had to be content with a share of the spoils.

Though Burnley dominated a large part of the game, Bristol proved stubborn defenders.

With the dressing room door firmly bolted half an hour after the final whistle, it was clear what Mullen thought about this 0-0 bore draw.

Bristol City, in fact, became the first side to stop the Clarets scoring in the league at Turf Moor this season.

Bristol City boss Joe Jordan even thought his side had done enough to warrant a victory.

A bit rich that, Joe!

But there was meagre festive cheer for the 9,327 crowd who turned up on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Traditionally the poorest day of the season through the gates, Burnley's loyal support topped the biggest attendance in Division Two by a clear four thousand - a remarkable statistic.

Pity, then, that they did not have more to enthuse about.

Mullen put his faith in the same 11 which saw off Swansea City 4-2 in such convincing style at the Vetch Field a week earlier.

Even Warren Joyce, virtually ruled out with a hamstring injury 48 hours earlier, pulled through in time.

That meant no place in the starting line-up for Peter Swan. The big man had to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench.

Yet it was Bristol, struggling to keep their heads above water at the foot of the table, who made the more decisive running and chances.

Kevin Nugent and Gary Owers proved a couple of likely lads. Both could have done more with the several half chances which came their way in the first half.

Maybe a goal would have spurred Burnley into life.

When the Clarets did get forward in numbers, it was the new striking partnership of Kurt Nogan and Andy Cooke who produced the openings.

Cooke, boosted by his two goals at Swansea, is finding his feet and appears to be getting stronger every game.

He links with Nogan effectively and was unfortunate to see a shot disappear inches wide of the target after Kurt had supplied the ammunition on the half hour.

Highly-rated goalkeeper Keith Welch produced the save of the game to deny the Clarets two minutes before half-time.

A Kurt Nogan cross was met by a flying David Eyres header and Welch punched the ball clear.

At the other end, Bristol were left claiming they were denied a penalty after a challenge by Marlon Beresford on Owers.

The former Sunderland man appeared certain to score until Chris Vinnicombe's timely intervention.

The second half was even poorer, though the Turf Moor faithful were treated to a bizarre triple substitution.

On came Ted McMinn, Derek Adams and Peter Swan as the manager tried to inject more urgency into the Clarets play.

David Eyres slipped into the left back role vacated by the injured Chris Vinnicombe, Ted McMinn pushed out on to the left flank and Peter Swan replaced Andy Cooke up front.

No wonder Cooke was left scratching his head when the number nine card was flashed from the touchline.

A gamble, sure. But one which did not pay off.

Sorry, folks, this was just one of those days at Turf Moor.

Certainly a league clash which will not remain etched on the memory banks for long.

Shots on target: Burnley 1, Bristol City 1. I rest my case.

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