Stats

Michopoulos;

(from right) Thomas, Davis, Cox, Branch;

Weller, Ball, Cook, Briscoe;

Taylor (Mullin 90), Moore (Payton 88).

Subs not used: West, Maylett, Crichton.

STOCKPORT (4-4-2 manager Andy Kilner)

Dibble;

(from right) Connelly, Flynn, Roget, Nicholson;

Cooper, Wiss, Grayson, Fradin;

Wilbraham, Kuqi.

Subs not used: Gibb, Clark, Clare, Hurst, Jones.

VITAL STATISTICS

Shots on target:...Burnley 1, Stockport 3

Off target:...Burnley 3, Stockport 3

Woodwork:...Burnley 0, Stockport 0

Corners:...Burnley 8, Stockport 5

Offside:...Burnley 5, Stockport 1

Fouls committed:...Burnley 10, Stockport 14

Booked:...Burnley: Thomas (foul); Stockport: none

Referee:...R Beeby (Northampton ) 7

Attendance:...7,087

FORM GUIDE

MICHOPOULOS: Precious little to do but was alert enough to make one fine save late on...7

THOMAS: Hesitant a couple of times but stood firm when it really mattered...7

COX: Not always foot-sure but restricted the County strikeforce to scraps...6

* DAVIS: Dominant performance in the middle of the defence, winning everything in the air...8

BRANCH: Kept a tight rein on County dangerman Kevin Cooper...7

BALL: Worked hard in midfield on a difficult night for that department with little chance to use the ball...6

COOK: Kept the ball moving and made a couple of timely blocks but not a night for slick passing...7

BRISCOE: Could be pleased with his first full 90 minutes back, particularly in the first half and when taking set-pieces...7

WELLER: Didn't see enough of the ball in the first half and had little chance to run at his full-back...6

TAYLOR: Held the ball up well on occasions but missed a decent chance late on to win it for the Clarets...6

MOORE: His pace on the break was Burnley's most potent first-half weapon but he couldn't find a goal to sink his former club...7

SUBSTITUTES

PAYTON: On too late to make a difference

MULLIN: Barely time to warm up

OPPOSITION CAMP

DIBBLE: No difficult saves to make but flapped at a couple of teasing corners...6

CONNELLY: Confident display at right back...7

NICHOLSON: Didn't do much wrong and never under too much pressure...6

FLYNN: Solid at the back and dangerous with his long throws...7

ROGET: Looked awkward at times but invariably effective...7

COOPER: Looked comfortable when he had the ball but didn't hurt Burnley with it...6

KUQI: Missed a great opening early on and didn't get the chance to make amends...6

WISS: Found it hard to get a grip in midfield but threatened once late on...6

FRADIN: Quiet game on the left-hand side of midfield...6

GRAYSON: Tidy enough in a helter-skelter midfield...7

WILBRAHAM: Well shackled by the Clarets defence...6

TECHINICAL TALK

Both sides played 4-4-2 formations but neither midfield department had the chance to shine with the ball constantly swirling around, leaving it to the respective back fours to snuff out any pressure.

SET-PIECE WATCH

Lee Briscoe's return to the Clarets' starting line-up added to their potency from set-plays. Briscoe's left foot was responsible for some teasing free-kicks and corners which required only a finishing touch, while Steve Davis was prepared to try his luck from a couple of long-range free-kicks.

KEY MOMENT

In a game of few incidents, Stockport's best chance came and went after just five minutes, while the Clarets will look to missed opportunties for Ian Cox and Gareth Taylor just before the end of each half for the reason why two extra points eluded them.

TIME FOR ACTION

05 County rely heavily on Mike Flynn's wind-assisted long throw but when the ball falls kindly for Shefki Kuqi he wastes the chance by blasting over the top

36 Mitchell Thomas makes a timely tackle on Kuqi as County look to make the most of the conditions before the break

42 The home side finally test Nik Michopoulos but Karim Fradin's shot from outside the box requires only a regulation save

43 Burnley finish the half strongly and should snatch the lead only for Ian Cox to lift his close-range volley over the bar

77 With the Clarets struggling to carve out chances, skipper Steve Davis tries his luck from fully 40 yards and isn't too far wide with a well-struck free-kick

82 A second golden opportunity goes begging for Burnley when Gareth Taylor shoots too high following a goalmouth scramble induced by Lee Briscoe's tempting corner

88 County step up the pressure late on but when Jarkko Wiss gets in a goalbound snap-shot Michopoulos is on his toes to make a tidy save

90 In the last minute the Clarets sense a last-gasp chance ti take all three points but from another Briscoe corner, Cox and Mitchell Thomas just fail to get a decisive touch in front of goal