BURNLEY may have the backing of Alistair Campbell, but it was Cardiff's Andy Campbell who put a whole different spin on this contest.

The Clarets looked all set for a precious away point from a contest that was heading nowhere, but then Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence switched Campbell for the tiring Rob Earnshaw and effectively stood the contest on its head.

Within four minutes of his arrival Campbell won a penalty, coolly converted by Richard Langley, and then finished off a sweeping counter attack in style to send the Grange End faithful wild.

It was tough on the Clarets who, despite little invention in midfield and almost no punch in attack, had been organised and defended well to frustrate the home side.

Indeed Cardiff were running up blind alleys until Lawrence decided that new ingredients were needed to spice up the recipe.

Famous food producers Campbells are well known for their meatballs, and Cardiff's Campbell certainly added both meat and ...well, let's just say he gave the home attack a distinctly stronger flavour.

"Sometimes substitutions have no effect, but today it worked out for us," said Lawrence modestly.

"I'm pleased for Andy, because he is such a willing worker in training but he has had to wait for his chance.

"Until he went on and won the penalty we weren't looking as though we would score."

And Clarets boss Stan Ternent agreed the change had turned the game, saying: "We were looking as though we could have taken a point.

"But to be honest we were anxious at times and all we can do now is prepare for the next game."

Ternent will be hoping to have at least Dele Adebola and Ian Moore fit to face Wimbledon tomorrow night after being forced to play Graham Branch in attack at Ninian Park.

An injury sustained in training meant that Moore, who had featured in all but the first three games of Burnley's season, wasn't in the 16 and the reshuffle saw Branch moved up front.

It was a ploy that never really came off with the player, more used to midfield or defensive work, struggling to find the right positions - or the space - to help fellow striker Robbie Blake.

Indeed regularly when Blake gained possession and looked up for support, the only view he got of his strike partner would be his backside as Branch struggled to work himself free of the attentions of the Cardiff defence.

But you have to work with what you've got and in a bright opening the Clarets matched Cardiff chance for chance.

Clarets keeper Brian Jensen made the first telling contribution as he got down well at the feet of John Robinson after the former Charlton midfielder had pounced on an errant pass.

Cardiff countered through ex-Claret Alan Lee, whose cross was met by David May only for the ball to loop goalward and Jensen had to be quick to tip it away for a corner.

But slowly and surely the hard graft and promptings of Zimbabwean-born former Welsh international Robinson began to dictate the pattern and Cardiff were in the ascendancy, though they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Around half-time came a rash of bookings as Tony Grant and Branch, for the Clarets, and Cardiff's Willie Boland were all cautioned for fouls.

However, referee Michael Jones was less interested in blowing his whistle when first Little for the Clarets and then Boland, ironically fouled by Little, were both refused strong calls for penalties.

But there was no doubting this was a game heading for sterile stalemate until Lawrence played his trump card.

On 76 minutes on came Campbell and the striker, who seems to have become the perpetual 'nearly man' in spells at Middlesbrough and Sheffield United before his arrival at Ninian Park, decided this was the day to remind a few people of just what he has in his locker.

He instantly provided a stronger physical presence for Cardiff in the Clarets penalty area and within two minutes he won a penalty as McGregor pushed him as the striker tried to turn.

The Bluebirds' London-born Jamaican international Langley, as elegant a player as you will find in the Nationwide League, stepped up and lashed the spot kick past Jensen.

And that was that! The Grange End went mad, the Bluebirds were suddenly 'up for it' and Burnley were staring down the barrel as Cardiff went on the attack.

Two more minutes elapsed and City had another goal as Boland led the charge out of defence, Robinson carried the move on and supplied a perfect pass for Campbell to angle his shot beyond the reach of Jensen and into the corner of the net.

The final eight minutes saw Campbell, substitute Paul Parry, and even loping central defender James Collins all try to add to Cardiff's tally as the blue shirts swarmed forward, but there was to be no late goal-fest.

And that was perhaps fitting because, while Burnley were a beaten side, they certainly didn't deserve a humiliation - or need one ahead of tomorrow night's crucial home clash.

CARDIFF CITY 2

Langley 78 pen, Campbell 80

BURNLEY 0

At Ninian Park Att: 13,525