CLARETS goalscorer Kevin Ball was delighted to give Burnley's end-of-season run-in a timely shot in the arm with last night's derby triumph.

Ball scored his first Burnley goal with the middle strike in a 3-0 win over Preston which at least keeps the play-offs in sight with a month of the campaign to go.

"It's given us a massive lift," he said. "Preston are a decent side. David Moyes has done very well for them, they have got some great players for this division and some of their movement was excellent.

"But that three points puts us on 58 and maybe kicked us on a little bit more.

"We've still got seven games to go, there are plenty of points to play for. We've just got to keep going and get as many as we can.

"We've got some tough game coming up now. We've got Wimbledon away, West Brom at home and Norwich away. They are three difficult games but we just want to try and keep on a roll now. But above everything it was important we got a result last night. "The way we went about our jobs was great and hopefully the supporters who were having a pint last night, those that do, enjoyed the win."

Burnley banished the disappointment of their beating at Blackburn with a passionate performance in front of the Sky Television cameras.

And Ball confirmed that the first derby win in six attempts this season had softened the blow of the Ewood Park disaster.

He added: "It was very disappointing for us all and we just wanted to put a smile back on the faces of the supporters. Things have gone very well this season for the club and we just want to keep it going.

"I've watched the first half from Sunday and I thought we were very unfortunate to go in two down. But obviously that doesn't help when we got beat 5-0 at the end of the game and that's the one that's in the record books.

"I must admit I was very despondent after that and it was important that we reacted. The gaffer spoke to use before the game and I thought the boys did very well."