Bristol Rovers 1 Burnley 0 - Richard Laytham's big match verdict

MARK Ford's first half sending-off left Chris Waddle fuming and scuppered Burnley's hopes of sinking the Pirates at the Memorial Ground.

The dismissal for a lunging tackle on Peter Beadle in centre field took most of the crowd by surprise as it looked more of a cautionable offence.

What most of the spectators had missed was an earlier yellow card for Ford, brandished so quickly by referee Robert Styles for such an innocuous tackle that it went unnoticed.

In the light of that booking the dive-in challenge on Beadle was reckless. Ford immediately knew his fate and was halfway to the dressing rooms before supporters of both sides realised he had been red-carded.

But he could count himself unlucky in a match of numerous physical challenges, not least by robust striker Beadle, who left Chris Brass writhing early on with a tackle that was a split-second late.

The Rovers player was given the benefit of the doubt by Mr Styles, who re-started play with a drop-ball, much to the anger of the Burnley fans stationed nearby.

Waddle didn't trust himself to talk about the Waterlooville official after the game, having been equally frustrated by the Rovers defence in his makeshift role as striking partner for new boy Andy Payton.

For all their batting qualities and neat approach play, the stark truth was that Burnley never seriously tested home goalkeeper Andy Collett after a bright start which might have seen them go three goals up in the opening six minutes.

Ford's early departure meant an increasingly lonely role for Payton as Waddle dropped deeper to support his midfield. And even a reshuffle for the final 20 minutes, which saw substitute Jamie Hoyland slot into defence and the impressive Gerry Harrison freed for a more attacking role, couldn't open the door for an equaliser.

In fact it took several glaring Rovers misses and one outstanding save from the busy Marlon Beresford to stop Ian Holloway's men putting a more emphatic scoreline on their fifth successive League win.

It might have been so different if Burnley had cashed in on some sloppy defending at the start when Payton looked set for a champagne debut.

Brass had already headed narrowly over from a Damian Matthew corner when the first crucial moment of the game occurred in the third minute.

Payton eluded his marker Steve Foster to latch onto a long pass and steered his shot wide of Collett only to see the ball smack against the foot of a post and rebound to safety.

Three minutes later the striker made room for himself again and this time saw his effort go a yard wide. It was to be Burnley's best period of the game.

A wretched playing surface at the ground Rovers share with Bristol Rugby Club did neither side any favours, but there was more than enough entertaining football to warm the 7,000 crowd.

Rovers began to get into their stride. A long range volley from Gary Penrice flashed over Beresford's crossbar and Beadle mis-hit a shot well wide from 25 yards with the goalkeeper out of position. But Burnley also dangerous and a terrific right wing cross from Brass saw Waddle just beaten to a header on the far post.

Foster became the first player to go into Mr Styles' notebook for a scything foul on the Burnley manager in the 19th minute and within seconds the dangerous Payton was causing havoc again.

This time a misjudged back-header from Holloway almost let him in and Collett had to react smartly to collect the ball at his feet.

Rovers top scorer Barry Hayles was finding it difficult to make an impact, but should have put his side ahead on 25 minutes when he brushed off Neil Moore's challenge only to shoot tamely wide as Beresford advanced.

Mr Styles evened up the cautions by over-reacting to a Ford trip on Hayles and the next meaningful action was the midfielder's dismissal. Not surprisingly, Rovers finished the half on top.

Jamie Cureton had a shot deflected for a corner, while Brass produced a fine saving tackle to deny Hayles.

Burnley were again out of luck at the start of the second period as Collett misjudged a 48th minute cross from Brass and was relieved to see the ball hit the top of his crossbar before bouncing back into play.

Two minutes later came the winning goals. Cureton exchanged passes with Beadle and his skilful first touch sent him skipping past the last defender before buying a clinical shot past Beresford.

Burnley sent on Mark Robertson for Damian Matthew, who had been in the thick of midfield skirmishes on his return to the club where he was once a loan signing.

But now Rovers were making their man advantage tell. Beresford did well to smother Beadle's firm far post header from Cureton's cross and also collected a long range effort from Penrice. An unmarked Beadle headed wide from Holloway's corner before both sides made a change on 69 minutes. Rovers increased their attacking options by introducing Frankie Bennett for teenager Luke Basford, while Burnley sent on Hoyland for Glenn Little.

Hoyland slotted into the back line-allowing Harrison to go into midfield. It was Rovers however, who dominated the closing stages.

Cureton was off target with a near post header and a wild volley as he found acres of space on the right flank. Then came the save of the match from Beresford on 84 minutes.

Rovers fans were ready to acclaim a second Cureton goal when the keeper showed tremendous reflexes to get one hand on a fierce low drive which looked destined for the bottom corner.

Burnley kept battling to the last and never looked like relegation candidates. But Waddle will surely be relieved when Andy Cooke returns from suspension and Payton can look forward to building up a regular strike partnership.

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