GLEN Little will be out of luck if he tries to add a goal to his collection from the reserves' mid-week win over Manchester City at Turf Moor.

Little thought he might have had a claim on the Clarets' opening strike in their 2-0 win.

But it's likely to stand as an own-goal after Little's near-post cross was deflected into his own net by young City defender Rhys Day.

Day's brother Ryan enjoyed better fortunes on the same day as he made progress in snooker's Regal Welsh Open.

Day, also a promising footballer before turning to snooker, beat Terry Murphy and then Steve Davis before his excellent run was ended by in the last 16 by John Higgins.

ANDY Payton's double blast against Oldham last Saturday has lifted him into joint top-spot in the race to be the Second Division's leading scorer.

Payton is on 16 along with Stuart Barlow (Wigan), Sean Devine (Wycombe) and Jason Roberts (Bristol Rovers).

A CROWD of 12,391 for last Saturday's visit of Oldham pushed Burnley's average gate up to 10,880 and just past Stoke into second spot behind the Second Division's biggest crowd-pullers, Preston.

However, Stoke, boosted by the Clarets fans today, are likely to overtake Burnley again next week.

THE CLARETS reserves are in action next Tuesday night when they travel to struggling Grimsby Town in the Pontins League Premier Division.

MARTIN SMITH, who declined the offer of a short-term contract with Burnley at the start of the season, has angered Nottingham Forest boss David Platt by electing to join Huddersfield Town instead

The former Sunderland striker was set to join Forest from Sheffield United for £300,000 but made an 11th-hour switch to sign for Steve Bruce's Terriers yesterday.

"Martin has decided that he wants to join Huddersfield. I am disappointed and would have to question the player's integrity and commitment to the cause," said Platt.

BURNLEY Supporters Club travel details for the game at Bournemouth on Saturday week: Leave Colne 6am, Nelson 6.10, Queensgate 6.20, Turf Moor 6.30, Tim Bobbin 6.35, Rawtenstall 6.50. Non-members £18, members £16, concessions £14. To book ring Fraser Eagle on 01254 231100 (day) or Trevor Bartley on 01282 777108 (evenings).

BURNLEY are hosting 'A Tribute to Jimmy McIlroy' night on Friday, February 4.

The dinner, which will be attended by the Clarets legend and a number of his former team-mates, will feature guest speaker Tommy Docherty and tickets are available at £25. For further information, contact Alison Loftus on 01282 70007.

STOKE striker Peter Thorne was 5/1 favourite with Corals to open the scoring in this afternoon's game against Burnley, while Andy Payton was a 6/1 shot.

Last season, Ally Pickering scored the first goal at odds of 40/1 and for those that believe that lightning can strike twice, Dean West and Gordon Armstrong were a similar price this afternoon.

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