FORMER Clarets defensive midfielder Phil Malley believes the calming influence of manager Brian Miller steered the team through their most difficult and most significant game.

Malley admitted that the severity of their potential relegation situation didn't hit him or his team-mates until the final few games of the 1986-87 season.

The former Sunderland apprentice, who made almost 100 appearances for Burnley, was 21 at the time of the Orient game.

He looked to Miller and older team-mates such as Leighton James for guidance, and admitted their vast experience was key to their survival.

That, and the backing of almost 18,000 fans.

Malley said: "The town came out in full force and it was a little bit daunting when we walked out for kick-off.

"There was a lot of fear and trepidation anyway but the nerves had definitely settled in then.

"But the crowd really helped in a way because the backing we got on the day was absolutely fantastic.

"We'd had a lot of media attention in the build-up and been on television programmes such as Saint and Greavsie.

"It didn't really dawn on everybody that we were in dire straits up until about five or six games to go.

"But Brian was calm all the way through, and the experienced lads like Leighton James were a calming influence as well."

Malley, who hurled himself in the way of a goal-bound effort from John Cornwell with the score at 2-1, remembers thousands of fans pouring onto the pitch at the final whistle, and added: "Supporters all jumped on top of us!"