THE tranquil environment of Gay Meadow proved a lethal killing field for Burnley.

While sharp-shooting Shrewsbury pulled the trigger on another damaging defeat, this Division Two encounter hinged on one moment of courtroom controversy.

Referee Scott Mathieson was judge and jury and that left Burnley bellowing: rough justice.

Whether the Manchester joiner was villain of the peace is open to conjecture. But television evidence suggests he got the decision right.

You could argue all day about that one of course.

But the stark fact remained that Gerry Harrison's red card blew the Clarets game plan out of the water before they could even launch a sustained assault on the Shropshire fortress.

And it left aggrieved Turf Moor players, manager and officials fuming.

The case for the defence: "I still don't know why he was sent-off," was manager Jimmy Mullen's response.

"I spoke to him (the referee) afterwards and he insists it was for deliberate hand-ball. It was a very harsh decision.

"The boy (Harrison) was on the line and the ball just hit the top half of his body. Most of the lads said that as well."

The case for the prosecution: "I sent-off the player for the deliberate use of hands on the line. I was quite clear about that," explained referee Scott Mathieson.

Unlucky Gerry Harrison is now in the dock with a two-game suspended sentence to follow his red card earlier this season. The drama unfolded from the boots of Austin Berkley. His inswinging corner caused pandemonium.

And, as the ball bobbled around inside the Burnley penalty box, Ian Stevens took his chance to crash a deflected shot goalwards.

Stevens' effort hit Harrison, who appeared to palm the ball away in an attempt to clear, and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Furious Burnley players surrounded the official and Harrison faced a long trek back to the dressing room.

Paul Evans made no mistake, thumping his spot kick past Marlon Beresford. Shrewsbury were in charge from that moment on.

Of course it left 10-man Burnley with a mountain to climb against a Shrewsbury outfit with only one defeat in 12.

A fair improvement on the rock-bottom spot they occupied after losing their first four encounters.

The Clarets had opened with a bold and breezy attacking formation and could have even snatched an early lead.

Chris Vinnicombe tested goalkeeper Paul Edwards with a long distance shot and Jamie Hoyland was a whisker away from converting a David Eyres centre.

But after that Edwards and his defenders might as well have retired to the tea hut - because Shrewsbury threatened to swamp Burnley.

With the extra man advantage, it was serious one-way traffic.

Mullen had watched Shrewsbury score four times in the first half the previous Saturday when they minced Marine 11-2 in the FA Cup.

He must have wondered whether Burnley would have suffered a similar fate by the break.

Austin Berkley breached the ranks 10 minutes later. With a clear sight on goal, he appeared certain to score until his shot flew past the target.

But there was far worse to come for Burnley fans.

The second goal was a defensive calamity and Burnley presented it on a plate for the home side.

Adrian Randall was caught in possession, dribbling back towards his own goal. A subsequent defensive mix-up saw Paul Evans nip in to take full advantage of the carnage, slamming home the re-bound after his first effort had been saved.

Earlier, Peter Swan could have joined Harrison after a rash tackle on Ian Stevens.

The subsequent knee injury forced the striker out of the game.

Skipper Dean Spink was only marginally off-target with a header and David Eyres tested the home defence with a rare Burnley attacking foray.

Peter Swan was pushed into the attack after half-time and Burnley enjoyed their best period of the match.

A short spell which should have produced a goal.

David Eyres and Kurt Nogan both saw opportunities go begging.

Eyres came desperately close with a header and then Kurt Nogan headed wide from a corner.

However, as Burnley searched for a way back into the game, Shrewsbury caught the Clarets on the break to settle the issue.

Substitute Darren Rowbotham raced wide on the flank and his pass found Shrewsbury's man of the match Paul Evans.

He spotted Richard Scott, who guided his shot into the bottom corner of the net and out of reach of Marlon Beresford.

Big striker Steve Anthrobus then somehow contrived to miss from six yards out.

Beresford saved his point-blank header with the Shrewbury players claiming the ball had crossed the line.

It could have been four in the dying moments but for the bravery of Beresford.

Burnley were caught square as Ray Woods raced clear on goal.

He chose to try and jink his way past the Burnley goalkeeper, but Marlon saved brilliantly at his feet.

A meagre consolation on a black day for the Clarets.

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