Preston 0 Burnley 1

Burnley could have had the game wrapped up by half time, as a series of chances came and went.

But they were forced to see the game out for an 18th clean sheet of the season that helped the club set a post-war record of 21 games without defeat in a single season.

And two more wins would now see Burnley return to the top flight.

On a night for cool heads, it was a perfect start from the Clarets.

Following an earlier effort - where George Boyd saw his tight angled strike fly past the far post – the Clarets took the advantage from another set-piece. 

Barton stepped up to take the 25-yard free-kick, and with a slice of luck of a heavy deflection, the midfielder’s curling effort wrong-footed Chris Kirkland to give Burnley an early lead.

That lead could have been easily extended throughout the first half, as the Clarets completely dominated proceedings.

Barton’s free-kick again caused chaos in the Preston box, as the swinging set-piece from the right found Andre Gray, however the forward couldn’t steer his thunderous header on target from eight-yards.

Midway through the half, a 50/50 tackle between Kirkland and Sam Vokes then spilled out to Dean Marney 30-yards out.

The midfielder saw the open goal and chose a first-time volley, however the strike agonisingly crept inches wide of the unguarded net.

To read the complete match report please click on the link below;

Match Report