MARLON Beresford is fighting to be fit for the vital Second Division promotion duel against deadly foes Stockport County.

Burnley's 1-0 victory over play-off rivals Millwall saw the Clarets climb into sixth spot with five Second Division fixtures left.

But today Turf Moor chief Adrian Heath was banking on Beresford getting the all-clear for the Edgeley Park crunch fixture.

The Burnley goalkeeper is due to see a specialist after suffering a groin injury during Saturday's clash. The injury meant Beresford could not take any goal kicks in the second half and he was clearly struggling for full movement.

Heath said: "It is a worry but the early indications are that Marlon should be okay for Saturday at Stockport.

"He will see the specialist in the next 24 hours and then we will know more then. He is very sore but we don't think it is too serious and, hopefully, three or four days' rest will do the trick."

Heath was delighted with the Clarets' performance against Millwall and added: "It was a fully deserved victory and we played some really good football, especially in the first half. "I thought we were the better team from the first minute to the last minute. Anything other than three points for Burnley would have proved a major injustice.

"The players were very professional in their approach and their willingness to get the job done. It is never easy playing a game on the back of a bad defeat and they responded really well.

"The win sets us up for a mighty game against our nice neighbours from Stockport next week. I'm sure that will be an enjoyable day!"

Heath made two changes - with Chris Vinnicombe replacing Paul Smith in the left-wing back role and Gerry Harrison coming in for Damian Matthew in midfield.

"We changed our tactics around because our information was that Paul Hartley would play on the right for Millwall.

"We just felt that Chris Vinnicombe, with his experience, might have handled him better than Paul Smith.

"Chris Vinnicombe did ever so well and his performance was testament to his professionalism. "It is never easy going back into a side when you've not played many games. But his fitness was superb and he has given us another option now."

Paul Weller grabbed Burnley's first half winner and Heath added: "He is a good player and, if he keeps listening to people and doing the things he is good at, then he will do well.

"There is still a lot more to come from Paul and the younger players. They've all done very well this season."

Peter Swan was under treatment today for an Achilles tendon strain.

David Eyres should get a run out in Burnley Reserves' Pontin's League clash at Bradford City tonight (7pm). Burnley from: Russell, Huxford, Heffernan, Scott, Heywood, Little, Eyres, Smith, Guinan, Robinson, Helliwell, Webster, Eastwood, Graham.

Burnley's A team scored a superb 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Brockhall. Ian Helliwell netted Burnley's winner.

Coach Alan Harper said: "It was an excellent all-round performance and the team played really well. Blackburn put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and we defended very well." The B team lost 3-0 at Tranmere Rovers.

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