BURNLEY Belvedere have put clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack — something that could not be said about this fog-bound encounter.

Visibility may well have been poor but one thing was clear to see, the defending champions are going to take some stopping.

Belvedere have now completed the double over last season’s runners-up with Greyhound going in to the game looking for a win that would close that gap at the top.

It was Greyhound who made the first sortie in to enemy territory but Elliot Grierson screwed his shot wide after Jake Eddleston rolled the ball in to his path.

But Belvedere always looked the more dangerous going forward and carved open the Greyhound defence when Danny Boothman raced free down the right, drilled in a low cross that Jack Fairburn played back in to Anthony Spencer who fired home from close range.

Greyhound keeper Daniel Aaron then had to be alert as the raced from his line to foil both Boothman and Josh Stevenson.

But the Accrington side had their chances and Daniel Baker rattled the crossbar with a speculative long range looping effort before Grierson tested Dominic Tomlinson at his near post, although he did have time to take the ball on a few more paces.

Just before the break, Carl Blackhall then sent one teasing cross in from the right after a good run down the flank but Tomlinson showed a save pair of hands.

But hopes of getting on level terms in the second half diminished immediately after the restart.

Boothman’s inviting centre was only partially cleared to Spencer loitering on the edge of the box who volleyed the ball back in to the top corner.

It was a body blow for Greyhound but, to their credit, they tried to respond and Andrew Moores pulled a shot just wide of the near post after a good flick-on by Max Howells.

However, it was Belvedere who were now fully in control and they underlined their dominance when play-maker, Matthew Walker threaded a wonderful ball through to Fairburn who outpaced his marker to drill the ball beyond the advancing Aaron.

Greyhound manager Phil Aaron chose to make wholesale changes, throwing on three subs and, to a certain extent, it worked as his side enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with Eddleston twice testing Tomlinson in the Belvedere goal before the same player converted a late penalty. But it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

BURNLEY BELVEDERE: Dominic Tomlinson, Nathan Cowgill, James Cumpstey, Steven Harrison, Dominic Clough, Anthony Spencer, Matthew Walker, Jack Fairburn, Bradley Cookson, Danny Boothman, Josh Stevenson. Subs: Oliver Venn, Chris Hartley, Chris Windle.

GREYHOUND FORD JUNIORS: Daniel Aaron, Luke Hartley, Matthew Parkinson, Tom Anderton, Max Howells, Carl Blackhall, Jake Eddleston, Daniel Baker, Elliot Grierson, Andrew Moores, Piers Morris. Subs: Levi Wolfenden, Pete Ashworth, Matthew McClathey, Ben Birch.