IT WAS impossible to tell at the time. But given the benefit of hindsight, last December's game between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers turned out to be a defining moment in the story of both clubs' seasons.

Don't forget that entering the game, Blackburn stood below Burnley in the Division One table.

But the three points gained that day acted as a springboard for their season.

They have barely looked back since.

Defeat for the Clarets on the other hand, seemed to send the players reeling just as much as it did the fans.

The Derby Day disaster was followed by defeats at the hands of Bolton, Barnsley and Wolverhampton -- and that's not to mention the ignominious FA Cup exit against Scunthorpe.

It took almost a month for Burnley to recover fully, picking up a point at Gillingham in mid-January.

And so to Sunday.

A high noon kick off, live on television, and in case you hadn't noticed, it'll be April Fool's Day.

You can write your own punchlines.

On the face of it, it looks an intimidating task.

Of their 18 home games this season, Rovers have lost just twice.

Burnley, by way of contrast, have succumbed in 10 of their 19 matches on the road.

Just as worrying is the fact that in those 19 games, they have scored just 15 goals.

In the top half of the table only Sheffield United and Barnsley have proved less prolific on their travels.

But then stats only tell half the tale.

It is Derby Day.

And certain books have been known to exit by certain windows on these occasions. And who is under the most pressure on Sunday?

The relatively cheaply assembled Burnley who have already, admirably achieved their goal this season?

Or their loaded East Lancs neighbours for whom nothing but promotion will be acceptable?

Keep them quiet for the first 20 minutes and who knows?

Burnley supporters also have a big part to play.

With around 5,000 raucous Clarets making the short trip on Sunday, Ewood's Darwen End will be no place for the faint-hearted come high noon.

Yeah, they should beat us. On paper they should hammer us out of sight.

But if football was so predictable we wouldn't keep turning up every week, would we?

And as Stan Ternent has pointed out already this week, "we owe them one."

Amen to that.