IT was always going to be a dramatic week at Turf Moor but no one could have predicted the thrills would have started as early as Monday night.

With Burnley reserves needing to win to keep alive their Avon Insurance Premier Division title hopes they twice held a two goal lead but were pegged back to 3-3 as the game moved into stoppage time.

The Tykes also needed to win the game to have a chance of being crowned champions and so both teams were going for broke and the finale could not have been more spectacular.

In the 93rd minute a long ball forward found the head of defender Earl Davis but the ball was cleared as far as teenage striker Damien Hindle.

Thirty yards from goal it looked the longest of longshots but his volley was inch perfect as it arced over the keeper and under the bar to send the home fans, the bench and his team-mates wild.

It was a magnificent end to a game that had virtually everything. The fact that Ronnie Jepson's young side came back to beat the more experienced Tykes spoke volumes for the character within the team.

The Clarets had a two goal lead inside half an hour with a couple of goals from set-pieces. In the eighth minute skipper Mark McGregor powered home a stunning header from Mark Rasmussen's corner, picking out the top corner.

Then in the 29th minute Matthew O'Neill's long throw was flicked on by Hindle and Andy Payton's control, turn and shot in off the post was a typically cool finish.

Eight minutes before the break it was 2-1 when the home defence failed to cut out a left wing cross from the dangerous Chris Barker and Jeremy Christie rifled home a shot at the far post.

At the interval Barnsley made a change, going to three at the back with the introduction of David Coulson, and for long periods Burnley were pinned back.

Carl Regan's shot was well saved by Luigi Cennamo who was having an erratic game in goal, especially struggling with his kicking.

But in the 58th minute the two goal lead was restored as another O'Neill long throw was flicked on by Payton and Rasmussen netted.

Payton and then Graham Branch came off to make the home side even more inexperienced and Barnsley took advantage as they pegged them back.

They were awarded a controversial penalty as a foul by Isaiah Rankin was missed before he himself was felled but justice was done as Cennamo saved Rory Fallon's spot kick.

But Rankin, once a £1million player, and Anthony Kay scored two in three minutes to set up the thrilling finale.

Hindle set up young sub Paul Barrett in the final minute but when his shot was saved it looked like game over.

That reckoned without Hindle and his shot has set up an even more exciting evening against Preston North End tomorrow night - whoever wins this game will clinch the title.

Nerves are going to be shredded long before Sunday at this rate.

BURNLEY...4 BARNSLEY...3

Burnley: Cennamo; Leeson, Davis, McGregor, Branch (Richardson); Rasmussen, Waine, Johnrose, O'Neill; Hindle, Payton (Barrett 61). Subs not used: Salisbury, Blakey, Chaplow.

Barnsley: Ghent; Regan, Kay, Chettle, Barker; Christie, Neil, Dixon (Coulson), Bertos; Fallon, Rankin. Subs not used: Miller, Wordsworth, Cox, Selby.