CLARETS: Old pal Mitchell spoils Burnley's day

MITCHELL Thomas and Chris Waddle go back a long way.

But their friendship must have felt the strain after Thomas denied his former Tottenham and England team-mate one the most important wins of his embryonic managerial career.

Waddle badly needed all three points from Luton's visit to bolster his prospects of master-minding Burnley's escape from relegation.

And, when master-poacher Andy Payton scored somewhat against the run of play after an hour, it looked as thought the Clarets' boss would be granted his wish.

But Thomas, who spent three seasons with Waddle at White Hart Lane and shared a number of England excursions, put the brakes on Burnley's upward momentum when he stooped to head home a 79th minute equaliser.

On the balance of play it was no more than the Hatters deserved. Luton look well equipped to survive if they can sign the loan striker manager Lennie Lawrence is chasing.

Lawrence, an experienced campaigner who specialised in great escapes with Charlton earlier in his career, predicted after Saturday's game that, with the right man up front, Town will cruise out of trouble.

Burnley already have the right man in Payton, but their quest for safety is more likely to hinge on the ability to provide him with the necessary ammunition.

Judging on the evidence shown since Payton joined the club from Huddersfield in January, the 30-year-old striker, who Lawrence once signed for Middlesbrough, doesn't miss many.

I reckon his return of seven goals from 14 games comes at the rate of one goal per two chances at worst, taking out the Auto Windscreens Shield tie with Notts County when Darren Ward made sure that Payton could try all night without scoring.

With 16-goal striker Andy Cooke alongside him, Burnley should have the firepower to avoid relegation. But, unless the potential is maximised, it will be an uphill struggle as the Clarets are five points away from a safe spot, albeit with at least one game in hand, and no league win in six outings.

The goals are not being spread too far around at the moment so it is imperative that the front two are provided with the necessary service - with a better supply line from the flanks and from in behind. When Paul Weller did run at the Luton defence from an advanced position, Burnley looked dangerous and the return of Paul Smith gives further hope once the winger regains the sharpness blunted by a catalogue of injuries this season.

But time is not on Burnley's side and, with 10 games to go, the solutions need to come quickly.

One area which should not give Waddle cause for concern is in goal where Chris Woods has slotted in so comfortably that Marlon Beresford's absence has not been noticed.

Woods adds an assurance to the back line which lost the services of the cavalier Gerry Harrison 16 minutes from time with a hamstring problem which Burnley must hope is not serious enough to keep him out for long.

Injuries are starting to take their toll with the absence of Glen Little and Damian Matthew bringing Mark Ford, Mark Robertson and Weller together for the first time in midfield.

Weller had the chance to play in his favoured position on the right but a re-shuffle to accommodate Chris Vinnicombe's close attention to Luton midfielder Sean Evers meant a swapping of flanks.

And Burnley just didn't click as an attacking force before the break as Luton held sway with their neat passing game stretching, though not often puncturing the home defence. Luton's best chance came after just six minutes but Evers shot wide from the edge of the box and then immediately found Vinnicombe as his shadow.

And Burnley's only other moment of real concern was provided by former skipper Steve Davis who drove in a fierce free-kick which Woods nonchalantly held in front of his face.

Robertson's early promptings from midfield suggested some joy for the Clarets.

But one Payton run behind the defence and shot to the near post was all Burnley had to show in terms of serious threats on goal.

More damaging still though was the booking Cooke received for applauding referee Michael Dean's decision to award him what he considered was a long overdue free-kick against Darren Patterson.

Dean did not take the gesture in good heart and the subsequent yellow card will cost Cooke a two-match ban - just when Burnley would least want it.

Things could have got decidedly worse had Phil Gray accepted a chance offered him on a plate by Neil Moore's mistake as Luton threatened to press home their advantage straight after the break.

But Woods came to Moore's rescue as he stood his ground before saving well at the striker's feet.

Moore then made amends himself by clearing from in front of goal from Gray's flick and Harrison made an excellent tackle to thwart Andy Fotiadis.

Burnley were in desperate need of something to get them back into the game and it came in the combined shape of Paul Weller and Luton keeper Kelvin Davis. Weller's weaving run ended with Davis spilling his cross and, even though Cooke could not force the loose ball home, that close call gave Burnley and their supporters fresh impetus.

And five minutes later Payton struck to put the Clarets ahead. Weller's perfectly flighted ball over the top saw Payton just beat the off-side flag and run on to calmy slot the ball under Davis in the manner of a proven goalscorer.

Suddenly the Clarets were swarming all over Luton with midfield men pouring forward in support of Payton and Cooke, who were both denied only by last-ditch blocks as the visitors' defence was carved open.

Harrison also got in on the act as he moved forward from the back but Cooke was unable to capitalise as he lifted his shot over the top.

Luton weathered the storm before getting back into a wide open game with Oldfield testing Woods and Paul McLaren floating the ball across the face of goal.

The Luton corner count was totting up as they re-asserted themselves and it was from one delivered from the left 11 minutes from time that Thomas delivered the painful blow.

Gray helped the ball on and Thomas was left free to bend and guide a close-range header into the net.

Luton didn't just settle for that and looked for the winner, while Burnley also strove to repair the damage.

Neither was successful and it remains to be seen who will benefit most from the solitary point, Burnley, Luton or their relegation rivals employed elsewhere.

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