FROM the first minute when news of Andy Dibble's dismissal at Carrow Road filtered around Turf Moor, Clarets fans knew the odds were stacked against them.

But on a day of incredible tension and amazing drama Burnley came agonisingly close to pulling off the margin of victory they needed to stay ahead of the Canaries.

At half-time they were behind, sub Gareth Taylor's headed goal put them back in front but it is the name of Malky Mackay that will be writ large in black ink across Burnley's history.

His goal for Norwich ensured they ended the season on the same number of points as the Clarets but with a goal difference better by that effort from the big defender.

But if it had not been for Swedish keeper Magnus Hedman it would have been the Canaries who would this morning be as sick as parrots.

It was surely written that Paul Gascoigne would come off the bench and lead Burnley into the play-offs but the stopper had not read the script.

In stoppage time he pulled off two stunning saves to keep out Gascoigne free-kicks and break Burnley hearts.

It was a remarkable climax to a game that became so unbelievably open that Coventry's caretaker boss Steve Ogrizovic likened it to "park football".

He insisted his players were desperate not to lose and so they pushed on in the closing minutes but that was nothing compared to the Clarets.

Stan Ternent certainly knew the score, literally, and he flung everything he had at the Sky Blues defence.

His first gamble paid off within 60 seconds when Taylor rose to meet Dean West's superb cross and head his 16th goal of the season.

That goal meant parity with Norwich who were still only leading ten man Stockport by the one goal. But seven minutes later Mackay struck and so the chase was back on.

Andy Payton entered the fray and the Padiham Predator nearly matched Taylor's feat by scoring with his first touch but his shot was blocked.

Then Gazza made his entrance in the 82nd minute and the stage appeared set.

In truth his late free-kicks should have been rendered meaningless by Coventry's own sub but Lee Hughes blasted wastefully over the bar after great work by Gary McSheffrey.

Given that Nik Michopoulos had earlier made a stunning save to touch a Lee Mills shot on to his right hand post and those who believe in fate were starting to think it really would be Burnley's day.

The game had turned into virtual attack and defence as it switched from one end to the other at bewildering speed and another goal looked certain, the only doubt being to which side.

Two minutes into stoppage time David Johnson was fouled on the edge of the box and Gazza took over.

Hedman appeared to have gambled on a high shot to his right but when the ball flew low to his left he managed to turn it behind with his left hand.

On the Burnley bench heads were held in hands as they viewed the drama and in the last of the four minutes added on 18,000 fans held their breath as Gazza lined up his second free kick.

This time he did go the other way but Hedman again nudged it behind for a corner. There was still time for Paul Weller to fire over from a tight angle but it was fitting that Hedman should have the last touch.

As his long clearance floated over the halfway line referee Steve Dunn blew his whistle to signal the end of the season and shatter Burnley's dreams.

The afternoon had started full of hope and expectation. After all Burnley had spent all but a couple of days in the top six and surely it would be too cruel to slip down to seventh on the final day of the season.

Inevitably the first half was all a bit nervy given the size of the potential prize, not just a tilt at the play-offs but the chance to return to the top flight for the first time in 26 years.

In fact managerless Coventry started the brighter and Weller cleared a header from Colin Healy off the line but as the half wore on the Clarets began to step up the pace and take control.

Twice superb balls from Dean West down the inside right channel created opportunities, the first being volleyed by Weller and saved by Hedman, the second setting Glen Little free but his low cross was cleared for a corner.

Johnson was launching long throws into the area with Mitchell Thomas and Steve Davis heading forward to try and get on the end of them.

But there was no goal by the break and the news from Norwich spoiled hundreds of half time pints.

Ternent opted to keep the same side after the break but the momentum that had built up was lost and it was no surprise when Thomas made way for Taylor in the 67th minute.

Ogrizovic admitted: "We knew Burnley were a threat from set pieces and they have got a lot of big players in their side like Thomas, Davis and Gnohere. To be honest we were relieved Taylor wasn't on from the start."

He certainly wasted no time in making an impact and the header was typical of so many he has scored this season.

Five minutes later Mills brought the best out of Michopoulos and then West had to make a brilliant challenge to deny Youssef Chippo a shooting opportunity in the box.

All that was left was the frantic finale as the ball kept being pinged into the Coventry area but it resolutely refused to drop to Burnley players ready to make history.

They have made a habit of scoring late goals this season but when they needed it most they could not find the net although not for a lack of trying.

So it will be first division football again next year and the play-off drama will take place without them.

Football really can be a cruel game!

BURNLEY...1

Scorer: Taylor 68

COVENTRY...0

Attendance...18,751