Ternent tribute to Armstrong

Armstrong took on the Lions with 14 stitches in a gash above his left eye.

But the heavily bandaged midfield man didn't skirk a challenge as the Clarets clinched a 2-1 win to move up to 15th place in the Second Division.

Ternent said Armstrong had performed "over and above the call of duty" and added: "He headed more balls than anybody but it seems to be that way for some reason. He was like a magnet.

"But Gordon is my captain and I know what I get from him. He's a major influence on our team and a very good player.

"It was Gordon's decision but I was desperate for him to play and I needed him to play.

"If he didn't feel up to it he wouldn't play but I had never any doubt about it."

Armstrong, who celebrated his 450th League appearance with a win thanks to goals from Andy Cooke and a Steve Davis thunderbolt, showed his versatility again as he switched to the left flank to cover for Graham Branch.

And he played a big part in overcoming an impressive Millwall side who were the latest to discover that the Clarets are no longer an easy touch on their travels. "Burnley have a reputation of not being very good away from home," admitted Ternent.

"But I have this theory that if you're doing all right the longer the game goes on then the other side starts pushing and taking chances and we could have scored four or five goals on Saturday.

"Although for long periods of the game we had to defend we can get them on the break with the pace and the quality we have in the side and that's what happened.

"All-in-all it was a very satisfying performance, a good team performance and a good three points."

Central defender Brian Reid also believes Burnley are losing the tag of under achievers away from home after following up their victory at Bristol Rovers a fortnight earlier. Reid said: "That's two in a row now. They say it's unusual for Burnley to win away from home but it looks like we have buried that now and hopefully next week we can go to Lincoln and make it a hat-trick." Reid enjoyed a successful return to the side after a one-match ban as the Clarets' defence looked as solid as it has done all season in the face of one of its sternest examinations.

He added: "It takes time to blend together but I think we are looking good for the future.

"They started at a hundred-miles-an-hour but for the first 20 minutes I thought we defended very well from everything they threw at us."

Millwall finally found a way through four minutes from time, which was the sole disappointment for Reid.

"We were disappointed to lose a goal because being a defender you always look for a clean sheet.

"That was a wee bit disappointing but overall we are happy with the three points," he added.

Reid's return, along with that of Neil Moore and Mark Ford, showed that Ternent is developing a useful squad, although the Burnley boss insists there is still work to do.

He said: "It's starting to take shape but I'm not finished yet. I need to strengthen the squad more because that creates healthy competition for places.

"We are starting to take shape but it is really a transitional year this year. But we are getting there."

Moore replaced Ally Pickering, who was ruled out with an ankle injury but who is expected to be available for next Saturday's game at Lincoln.

Steve Morgan missed training today with a slight strain but should also be fit for the game at Sincil Bank when Mark Robertson, back from international duty, will also come into consideration.

Burnley's 'A' team won 3-0 against Accrington Stanley Reserves on Saturday with goals from Carl Smith, Gareth West and Rune Vindheim.

The under-18s went down 5-1 at Wigan with Ben Woods scoring the Clarets' consolation.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby expects a deal with Ray Ingleby to go through before tomorrow's rights issue deadline which would allow Ingleby to take his seat on the Turf Moor board.

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