BURNLEY fans travelling east were reminded that one of their routes home was blocked off. But the road back to the Premier League looks an open one for the Clarets.

For a period Sean Dyche’s side were top of the Championship, slipping to second in the end only by virtue of goal difference behind new leaders Hull City, following the Tigers 2-0 win at Brentford.

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Last time around the Clarets barely relinquished their grip on a top three spot - latterly the top two.

They look just as strong, if not stronger, now After Andre Gray scored two for the third home game in a row in the first half, Ross McCormack threatened a Fulham comeback early in the second.

As on Saturday the job was made harder than it should have been, but it was ultimately finished by substitute Matt Taylor, with his fourth of the season.

Fulham had not won at Turf Moor in 30 league and cup meetings 64, but it soon became apparent that run was not going to be ended by the visitors.

Having dispatched of Steve Cotterill’s Bristol City 4-1 at the weekend Cottagers boss Kit Symons said his side were improving defensively with each game. So he will have been disappointed with the marking that led to Burnley’s first.

Gray was statistically the most lethal player on the pitch, but by no means the tallest. And yet he was able to beat the taller Ryan Tunnicliffe at the far post to head in David Jones’ recycled corner.

With two goals in each of his last two home games, Gray was in the mood, and you sensed that the goal had been coming.

The striker set up Jones for the first chance after just five minutes, with a good pass with the outside of his boot, but the midfielder couldn’t hit the target.

Ben Mee’s long ball out from the back was then well flicked on by Sam Vokes, but Gray over-ran it.

There was a poorly executed half-chance for Fulham in return, with Jamie O’Hara blazing well over.

Momentum quickly swung back to Burnley and Ben Mee picked out Vokes with a cross, but the striker headed narrowly over.

Fulham tried to come back at the Clarets, but Gray launched a quick counter and sprayed the ball to Joey Barton so he could continue his burst into the box.

The cross went over his head to George Boyd, whose cut back fell for Vokes. The striker’s shot cannoned off Dan Burn’s arm but referee Andy Madley ignored the Wales international’s penalty appeals.

The corner proved sufficient, though, as a recycled delivery resulted in Gray heading Jones’ cross in at the far right post.

There was a second penalty appeal against Burn denied, as Gray threatened this time.

But again the Clarets did not have long to wait for reason to celebrate.

Scott Arfield has done some of his best work out wide this season, but it was his majestically measured pass from a central position that inspired Gray’s second.

And such is the striker’s phenomenal form, you sensed it was in before the ball had even reached him.

He didn’t disappoint, beating Joe Lewis with a consummate, clinical finish.

But Fulham, who had offered little to the first half, came to life in the second and got themselves back into it with McCormack’s 10th of the term.

O’Hara started the move with a pass to Cairney, who turned and shifted the ball on quickly for McCormack.

Fulham’s £12million man created a yard of space with himself in the box, and bent a left foot shot around the outstretched Tom Heaton.

Burnley had bossed it and were bruised, but demonstrated their character by immediately hunting a third.

The crossbar was the only thing that got in the way of Gray scoring a first Football League hat-trick after lobbing the keeper from Jones’ chipped pass.

Luck deserted the striker again after Vokes’ header from Tendayi’s Darikwa’s centre was headed off the line by Burn. Gray was first to the rebound, but couldn’t keep it down.

McCormack shaped himself up for a second in similar circumstances to his first, but Burnley had men back and Michael Keane made a vital block.

After the introduction of former Clarets loanee Alex Kacaniklic, Fulham brought two pairs of fresh legs on to try to look for an equaliser. But with some brave defending, and the safe hands of Heaton, Burnley resisted.

Vokes had the chance to re-establish the two-goal cushion when he drove forward. He had recent substitute Chris Long as an option, but chose to strike from distance and it was a comfortable save for Lewis.

But substitute Matt Taylor eased any nerves in stoppage time. It was not his best finish of the season, but another important one to keep the Clarets on track.