Rochdale 0 Burnley 1 - Pete Oliver's match verdict

HE may not be an emerging talent, or the kind of big money buy the Burnley fans are hoping for, but Ronnie Jepson could still be a major signing for the Clarets.

Jepson, picked up for nothing after leaving Oldham, made his first start in a Burnley shirt as Stan Ternent's men wound up their public pre-season work-outs with a win at Spotland.

And the 35-year-old striker proved what a shrewd acquisition he could be with a classical centre-forward's performance.

Jepson was the fulcrum of the Burnley attack with Andy Cooke causing chaos alongside him - notably in the first half hour when Burnley played their best football of the pre-season programme.

The only thing that was missing was a goal. And with the winner coming courtesy of a Mark Monington own-goal the Clarets went through a second game without finding the net through one of their own players.

But Cooke and Jepson both had goalbound efforts blocked and with several other chances created that statistic will not unduly worry Ternent.

He still has the prolific Andy Payton to return from injury to increase the output and with Jepson's arrival the goalscoring burden has one more player to be shared around.

Cooke and Payton will start as the first-choice strikeforce but Jepson's arrival gives Ternent a valuable extra option alongside apprentice marksmen Colin Carr-Lawton and Kevin Henderson.

Whether it be as back-up, cover or as a third striker when circumstances dictate Jepson looks likely to convert and create chances.

His aerial power unsettled the Rochdale central defenders, who were also given a torrid time by Cooke early on, and on the floor he showed an equally sure touch to bring others into the game. Jepson's first contribution opened the way for Paul Smith to fire just wide and then an excellent combination between Burnley's two front men sent in Glen Little whose low shot was well saved by Neil Edwards.

Edwards also thwarted Cooke who had been released by Mark Ford and from the rebound Jepson's volley hit a defender in front of goal.

With Smith showing signs of regaining some of his old sparkle on the left Burnley produced their most encouraging form to date before losing the impetus before half-time.

It wasn't the complete performance and one or two moments of indecision at the back could have led to Rochdale goals, notably when a Michael Williams' back-pass fell short and left Graham Lancashire with just Tony Parks to beat.

But I doubt if it was the complete team either as regards the starting line-up to face Bristol Rovers on Saturday. There could be up to five changes depending on whether Ternent is able to bring in new faces this week and John Duncan won't have gleaned too much if his scouting mission was purely to get an an early look at the Clarets ahead of their visit to Chesterfield on the second Saturday of the season.

But a clean sheet allied to a more constructive performance sounded a more positive note for the final week of preparation.

Burnley's first win against senior opposition was sealed by Turf Moor old boy Monington two minutes after the re-start when he headed a Smith cross into his own net.

There could have been further goals for Cooke, whose shot was well blocked by Monington, and Carr-Lawton who was denied by the on-rushing Edwards having come on for Jepson after 65 minutes.

That was one of only two changes by Ternent as he took a good look at those pushing for places while Dale boss Graham Barrow sent on six pairs of fresh legs.

David Gray almost made his count but Craig Mawson saved well with his legs to enable Burnley to sign off on a high note.

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