Burnley 2 Wrexham 1 - Pete Oliver's big match verdict

ARGUABLY the greatest goalscorer of his generation was upstaged by another of the striking union's most respected members as Burnley's Andy Payton took his tally for the season into double figures with another match-winning contribution.

Payton won't even entertain the idea of comparing himself with the legendary figure of Ian Rush but on Saturday there was no comparison.

Rush didn't get a sniff of goal while Payton scored twice from two-and-a-half chances to earn the Clarets their third win in five games and lift them to a season's high of 14th-place.

In doing so Payton also hauled himself clear at the top of the Second Division scoring charts, while Rush is still waiting to add to the tally of 253 League goals he had accrued before his summer move to Wrexham.

That fact that Rush, back in action at Turf Moor after 11 games out with injury, has scored more than 100 League goals more than Payton underlines the Welshman's phenomenal record.

But while the 37-year-old player-coach is entering the twilight zone of a glittering career, Payton is still very much alive and kicking and enjoying a highly productive new lease of life since his move to his spiritual home.

Saturday's brace, either side of a first ever goal from Wrexham defender Dave Ridler, was even more laudable given the burden carried by the Clarets' front man. With Andy Cooke missing the first of four games through suspension and Peter Swan not recovering from a calf strain Burnley were without a second senior striker.

So manager Stan Ternent opted to hand Payton a solitary role up front with the support coming from a five-man midfield before Glen Little and briefly Brad Maylett were posted further forward after the break.

It was a tactic designed to maximise the resources at Ternent's disposal and, while it meant Wrexham had plenty of the game, the end justified the means.

Payton was fortunate that the back-up came more often than not from Little who created both goals and enjoyed one of those afternoons when he invariably thrilled the crowd and bamboozled the Wrexham defence.

There were times when he was almost showboating, particularly on one occasion in the second half when he nutmegged Rush to win a corner.

As ever for a winning side there was graft to go with the craft as Brian Reid again shored up the defence and led by example to his young charges Matt Heywood and Chris Scott who was excellent at right-back.

Gordon Armstrong also won more than his fair share of brave challenges and Chris Brass made a welcome return, although both midfield men had their work cut out against the diminutive Dave Brammer who pulled the strings delightfully for Wrexham.

His passing was top-class and for spells the visitors looked dangerous going forward with on-loan Manchester United youngster Terry Cooke flying down the right and giving Steve Morgan a testing return from injury. Ironically with Rush in their ranks the Welsh side lacked a cutting edge, although the accuracy of their shooting wasn't in question.

It was generally from long-range though and for all their attractive build-up Brian Flynn's side looked like one without a goal in four games.

They were unable to build on Ridler's equaliser a minute into the second half when it looked as though they may well end their search for a first away success of the season.

But for football's purists it's to be hoped that their style of play will again prove to be a winning one.

The Robins weren't helped by the immaculate handling of Burnley keeper Gavin Ward who plucked a number of stinging drives out of the air with the minimum of fuss.

Ward's efforts provoked chants of "sign him on" from the crowd and surely those holding the purse strings at Burnley must take heed.

The on-loan Bolton keeper was at it early on to swallow up efforts from Cooke and Gareth Owen while Burnley offered little in attack before a couple of corners in quick succession brought some life to the home side and almost an opener for Armstrong.

With the emphasis shifting Burnley struck a critical blow just inside the half-hour when the respective fortunes of Rush and Payton were perfectly illustrated. Rush lost possession on half-way and when the ball was ferried into Little's path he delivered a perfectly weighted through-ball for Payton to run onto and clinically beat Mark Cartwright with a shot inside the far post.

Karl Connolly wasted a chance to redress the balance when he scuffed a shot at Ward from Rush's knock-down but half-time didn't slow Wrexham's momentum and within 60 seconds of the re-start Ridler made it 1-1 following Peter Ward's corner.

If Ridler asked the question of Burnley's resolve it was Payton who provided the answer.

Having headed over the top under pressure from one Little cross Payton found the room to meet another Little delivery, this time from a free-kick, and there was only one outcome as he guided a header into the top corner.

Connolly, who poked a shot wide just before Burnley bagged their 55th-minute winner, then found Ward in his way again.

And despite a couple of scares late on Payton's third double of the season was enough for the Clarets to move level on points with Flynn's men -- progress indeed.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.