Burnley 5 Heaton Moor 12

7:42pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

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BURNLEY'S muddy marvels have secured a place in the end-of-season promotion play-offs despite losing to Heaton Moor.

Defeat handed Heaton Moor the North Lancs One title to Heaton Moor while Burnley's runners-up place in now guaranteed.

They will now travel to Netherhall on Saturday, April 26 with the winners gaining promotion to the North Lancs Cumbria Division.

Despite the defeat, chairman Phil Harbour was impressed with his team's performance He said: "We got the tactics wrong in the first half but after the break, we played more of a kicking game and Heaton Moor could not get out of their half."

However, a solitary try from leading scorer Laurie Smith was all the Burnley had to show for their second half pressure as Heaton Moor clung on for a low scoring victory.

"The conditions were awful but it was a pretty decent game," added Harbour who was full of praise for his team. "There were no stand-out performances and this was a very good team display."

Burnley now know what they have to do to gain promotion but they have the small matter of two rearranged fixtures to get in first.

"Unfortunately, we have to play the play-off match away from home because Netherhall have a better points record than us. But at least we know what we have to do."

And Harbour insists there will be no coasting in the last two matches despite not having much to play for.

"If you don't give your all in rugby then you get hurt. Besides, there is a bit of bad blood between us and Garstang while Birchfield are a very physical side.

"We don't play the play-off final until April 26 so it is important for us to keep the momentum going and not take our foot off the pedal.

"So the lads know they have to give their all in our last two remaining league games."