BURNLEY are two wins away from an immediate return to the Premier League after a superb performance against Preston saw them claim Lancashire bragging rights.

The Clarets made a mockery of Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka’s suggestion they’re a ‘long ball’ side, turning on the style in a display that proved they can play passing football with the best. But then those who watch Burnley regularly already knew that.

The mystery was how they only scored once. Joey Barton’s deflected free-kick gave the Clarets an early lead and they had already spurned an excellent chance before that.

In the remaining 85 minutes opportunities to add to the advantage came and went on a regular basis, with the woodwork struck three times. Chris Kirkland’s goal led a charmed life.

With only a goal separating the two sides there was always a fear Sean Dyche’s side could be made to pay for those missed chances, but the Clarets resolve held firm in the face of the pressure that came their way.

Michael Keane and Ben Mee headed every cross out of the area, while the magnificent Barton was a terrier in midfield.

It was a frenetic start at Deepdale. Jermaine Beckford glanced a header wide inside 13 seconds and Boyd fired across goal from a good position after an error by Kirkland before Burnley went ahead.

Andre Gray had been fouled and Barton’s 30-yard free-kick deflected off Alan Browne in the wall and left Kirkland flat-footed as it ended up in the back of the net.

Burnley were dominant in the early stages. Gray headed Barton’s bouncing free-kick from the right just over, Mee nodded Scott Arfield’s corner straight at Kirkland and Dean Marney side-footed wide from 35 yards after Kirkland had left his goal to clear Cunningham’s back pass under pressure from Sam Vokes.

Chances were continuing to fall to the visitors. Mee headed inches wide from a Barton free-kick before Arfield and Gray had goalbound shots blocked in the same move.

Early in the second half Barton sent in another dangerous delivery which was headed over by Vokes before the woodwork came to North End’s rescue twice in a minute.

First Boyd’s ball over the top was volleyed goalwards by Gray and bounced off the post, before Boyd sent a drive from 25-yards off the top of the crossbar.

Chances for the home side were few and far between.

From distance Calum Woods cut inside and saw an effort deflected wide, while Michael Keane blocked Beckford’s shot from inside the penalty area.

At the other end a Stephen Ward backheel freed Barton, who skipped past Browne but saw his lot show saved by Kirkland’s legs.

It was 69 minutes before Tom Heaton was called into action for the first time, diving to push away substitute Daniel Johnson’s shot before Joe Garner volleyed the rebound over.

Barton was proving to be everywhere and he made a crucial block on a Paul Gallagher shot with 15 minutes to go as the home side looked to level.

A dangerous Preston free-kick from Gallagher was blocked by the wall in stoppage time, with Barton stopping the follow-up, and the game was up when Callum Robinson’s volley from 18-yards landed on the roof of the net.

On paper this was the toughest task left on Burnley’s fixture list. Games at home to Queens Park Rangers and away at Charlton don’t look too testing, but then funny things can happen at this stage of the season.

The Clarets are, however, now a remarkable 21 games unbeaten and this victory, which came in front of a superb and vocal away following of more than 5,600, took them back to the top of the Championship table. It’s been some ride since Boxing Day.

Burnley’s job for the weekend is done. They can put their feet up for two days.

Middlesbrough and Brighton, it’s over to you.