Clarets end the curse of Kurt

THE curse of Kurt Nogan has haunted Burnley fans everywhere over the last four years.

But Stan Ternent's gutsy Clarets finally cracked his spell in typically resolute style to wreck the Welshman's dreams of a victorious home debut for the club he has supported since childhood.

Given a hero's welcome by the fans who coughed up a huge chunk of the £100,000 it cost to sign him from Preston North End, Nogan seemed destined to add to his tally of four goals in five games against his former club.

But in the battle of Clarets strikers past and present, it was ace marksman Andy Payton who ultimately proved he was top dog.

Nogan has been brought to Ninian Park charged with the responsibility of firing the goals to keep the Bluebirds in the Second Division.

But the 29-year-old hit man hardly had a kick as defensive trio Steve Davis, Ian Cox and Mitchell Thomas were outstanding at the back.

Davis, himself, laid the foundations for the Clarets fourth straight victory against Welsh opposition this season with his fifth goal of the season in the 21st minute.

And when Payton added a second with his 24th of the campaign 15 minutes after the break, Burnley appeared to be coasting to the easiest of victories.

But, suddenly, the Bluebirds were handed a lifeline when Andy Legg's long throw skidded off the head of Cox and past a stranded Paul Crichton. And it was definitely 'game on' five minutes later when Glen Little retaliated following a late challenge by Richard Carpenter, leaving the visitors to face a nervy finale with 10 men.

But these days, Burnley aren't the soft-touches Nogan has taken great delight in putting to the sword in the past.

And, despite a late scare when Mike Ford thought he had pulled a point out of the fire, Stan Ternent's men deservedly survived to keep themselves firmly in the promotion race.

Andy Cooke's late withdrawal through injury meant Graham Branch was charged with the responsibility of partnering Payton up front.

And it proved something of a managerial masterstroke as his ability in the air repeatedly unlocked a nervy Cardiff defence.

On a heavy pitch, it took the Clarets time to get their free-flowing football together.

But they were quicker to settle than the Bluebirds and John Mullin could have silenced the home fans twice in the opening 20 minutes.

First, Paul Smith and Little combined to carve out an opening for the rangy midfielder but he dragged his shot wide of the post. Then, Mullin latched onto a Payton lay-off but fired wildly over from 15 yards.

Something had to give, though, and Burnley's pressure finally told when Paul Cook whipped over a delicious left-wing centre in the 21st minute and there was Davis at the far post to squeeze a shot past the flailing Jon Hallworth.

Mullin then limped off to be replaced by Micky Mellon, but that failed to disturb the Clarets' rhythm.

Payton should have added a second when he fastened onto Branch's clever flick but Hallworth saved the day.

And the overworked City keeper was there again to block Cook's snapshot after more great work from Branch.

With Burnley chasing and harrying all over the park, Cardiff found life difficult going forward.

But Ford went close with a header, and a scorching free kick from the dangerous Andy Legg was expertly palmed away by Crichton.

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Payton fired into the side-netting and the Clarets' leading scorer also narrowly failed to get on the end of a raking Smith centre.

But the Padiham Predator finally got his reward on 61 minutes when Jeff Eckhardt misjudged a header, allowing Payton to race clear and shoot past Hallworth. That appeared to be that -- until the Bluebirds suddenly conjured a goal out of nothing seven minutes later.

Legg launched a long throw, Crichton appeared to be balked as he came to collect, and the ball bounced off Cox into an unguarded net to give the home fans hope.

And their cause was further helped by the loss of Little with 17 minutes to go -- deservedly red-carded for kicking out at Carpenter in an act of retaliation.

With so much at stake for both sides, it was a jittery finale.

Just seconds from the end, Ford appeared to have grabbed the equaliser when he headed ho me Legg's inswinging corner.

Thankfully, referee Mike Halsey spotted a foul on Crichton -- much to the relief of Ternent and Co -- and Nogan's fairytale return ended in heartache.

Picture shows Steve Davis giving the Clarets the lead.

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