Burnley 0 - Blues 1

Last updated : 10 March 2002 By Bluenose Ron
Tommy Mooney's 25th minute strike was the difference between the teams, and although Burnley mounted a lot of pressure during the second period, Ian Bennett never had a save to make.

Blues started the game very brightly, with both Mooney and the returning Curtis Woodhouse testing Marlon Beresford in the home goal early on.

For Burnley, Gareth Taylor offered an aerial challenge to both Michael Johnson and Darren Purse, although he posed little threat on the deck.

Blues took the lead through Mooney's header midway through the first half. Paul Devlin conjured up a magnificent cross from out on the right, and both Mooney and Darren Carter surged into the box for Mooney to head back across Beresford and into the net from 10 yards out.

Before the interval Woodhouse again tested Beresford as Blues went in search of a second.

The second half was a very different story, with Blues inviting pressure from the home side, who despite bags full of possession were unable to manufacture a single shot on goal.

It was left to Blues to try and hit Burnley on the counter attack, and they almost succeeded on a number of occasions, Mooney again bringing the best out of Beresford with a stunning, dipping volley from 25 yards.

Stan Lazaridis (on for Woodhouse who picked up a knock) should also have done better when intercepting the ball he found himself with just Beresford to beat.

Blues had a further effort ruled out, when Stern John diverted a Nicky Eaden strike into the back of the net via his head, yet John was adjudged to be offside.

Two players stood out for Blues this evening. Firstly, Mooney put in undoubtedly his best performance in a Blues shirt. He worked himself into the ground, and led the line magnificently whilst Stern John was struggling to cope with the physical presence of Ian Cox, Steve Davis and Kevin Ball.

Also, Darren Carter was yet again immense. It's a joy to behold a young Blues fan bossing the game from midfield as Carter did tonight - especially when Bryan Hughes was unable to recreate his form from the weekend. Carter's performance earned him numerous chants of 'Super Darren Carter' from the travelling Blues fans.

An excellent away performance earned Blues possibly their best - and most valuable - three points of the season. If Blues can recreate the performance from the first 45 minutes, and then the battling qualities displayed in the second 45 minutes for the rest of the season, then Premiership football may not be quite such a distant dream as we all imagine.

Bluenose Ron