BIG games deserve a big hero - and they don't come any bigger than Brian Jensen!

The Danish keeper cut a forlorn figure last weekend after taking the blame for Burnley's defeat to Crystal Palace squarely on his broader-than-broad shoulders.

But what better way to reinstate yourself as a crowd favourite than standing tall to earn your side a potential money-spinning cup tie against a Premiership giant?

And if Jensen's penalty shoot-out heroics lead to Stan Ternent's troops pulling out a plum in Saturday's Carling Cup second round draw, the Clarets boss will probably beat most season ticket holders in the race to pat the Great Dane on the back!

A Tuesday night in Chesterfield, in front of under 3,000 fans, was the stage handed to Jensen to prove his capabilities as a keeper following his calamitous League debut against the Eagles, when two goals were attributed to his mistakes.

He had already endeared himself to a hardy bunch of Clarets followers, whose pre-season travels to the Isle of Man were rewarded by seeing the ousted former West Brom stopper save three Blackpool penalties.

That Jensen did it once could be deemed beginners luck. That he thwarted the Spireites in an almost identical fashion was proof that Ternent had not made a massive gamble in snapping up the strapping stopper.

All hopes rested in his hands after Burnley had squandered, in their manager's astute words, "a million chances" against their Second Division hosts.

Glen Little and Robbie Blake both somehow contrived to miss open goals, Tony Grant smacked the bar with a rasping drive, Luke Chadwick spurned a one-on-one with Chesterfield custodian Carl Muggleton and countless other half-chances went begging on a balmy, barmy night that saw Burnley clock up 30 corners!

How far will Burnley get in the Carling Cup? Give us your views NOW.

And when the heat was on in the sudden-death penalty shoot-out, Jensen became the interceptor to steer the Clarets safely home.

He first saved Chris Brandon's opening kick - only to be harshly pulled up for moving off his line in an incident eerily reminiscent of the Blackpool friendly in late July.

Brandon scored from the re-take and Paul Weller restored parity, which remained after Steve Payne and sub Dean West both found the target from 12-yards.

Then the fun really started. Mark Hudson drilled Chesterfield's third effort low to the right of Jensen, who stuck out a Hulk-sized hand to make a vital save.

Blake - so clinical in his recent spot-kick duties - undid all that hard work by fluffing Burnley's third with a weak effort that Muggleton held easily.

Glynn Hurst, who had endured a miserable night in front of goal, then stepped up nervously and sent the Spireites fourth kick sailing high over the bar to hand the initiative back to the Clarets.

Little grabbed the opportunity with both hands to leave Ian Evatt facing a do-or-die duel with Jensen with Chesterfield's fifth and final kick.

And suddenly, Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman was a distant memory as another giant glove parried Evatt's corner-bound drive to settle the issue.

Quite how it came that nailbiting finale is anyone's guess after a typical cup-tie that picked up pace with every passing minute.

The drama began as early as the tenth minute when former Clarets defender Steve Blatherwick - a man with so much to prove following his enforced Turf Moor exit - clashed with team mate Alan O'Hare and had to be stretchered off with a head injury later diagnosed as concussion.

Burnley took advantage of the ensuing defensive reshuffle and Little, starting up front alongside Blake, saw his snap header well saved by the ever-alert Muggleton.

Skipper Graham Branch was caught cold on the half hour mark as former Burnley loan star David Reeves sent strike partner Glynn Hurst racing clear.

However, Hurst could not find a shot to match his awesome acceleration and Jensen saved comfortably on his penalty spot. Back came Burnley and Luke Chadwick, having a quiet opening half, saw his wicked rising drive from the corner of the area wonderfully turned over by Muggleton.

The second half exploded into action as Evett wasted Chesterfield's best chance by blazing over from 12 yards and Jensen saved well at Reeves' feet.

But Burnley really should have broken the deadlock on 57 minutes. Kevin Dawson's attempted back header cannoned off fellow defender Payne to put Little clear.

Little rounded Muggleton with ease, but appeared to lose balance under a hefty despairing lunge by Payne, which sent the ball bobbling off the inside of the right hand post.

The chase for the loose ball resumed and, with Little claiming the earlier foul, Payne managed to edge ahead and toe-poke the ball clear.

Having then weathered a storm that reaped 10 corners in just 15 minutes, Chesterfield broke briefly and Hurst saw his instant shot on the turn brilliantly saved by Jensen, who trapped the ball with his legs while heading the wrong way.

But Burnley ended the game in total ascendency and after Grant volleyed against the woodwork from Blake's corner, Chadwick wasted Grant's superb slide-rule pass by firing tamely at Muggleton.

Blake was then the guilty party seconds into extra time as he sidefooted over a gaping goal from 12 yards after being teed-up by Chadwick's great vision.

But it was that man Jensen who finally sentenced Chesterfield to defeat, saving the day by superbly parrying Dawson's last-gasp header off his line and then dishing out further punishment in the shoot-out.

The cream of the Premiership crop await in round three, but what all Burnley wants and Stan Ternent needs now is a tasty second round tie to whet the appetite.

CHESTERFIELD... 0 BURNLEY... 0

(Burnley win 3-2 on penalties AET)

Saltergate Att: 2,928