Super-sub secures Clarets win
Thompson grabs winner as Burnley come from behind
Last Updated: December 20, 2008 6:38pm
Thompson: Grabbed winner
Burnley cemented their spot in the play-off positions after coming from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate.
Substitute Steven Thompson proved to be the Clarets' hero as he came off the bench to grab a 77th minute winner for the visitors.
City had taken the lead early in the second half through Nicky Maynard's penalty before Martin Paterson drew Burnley level.
The best chance of a battling opening period saw Clarets defender Steven Caldwell block a goalbound Maynard effort.
Robins midfielder Michael McIndoe created space on the edge of the box early on but his drilled effort from 20 yards out never troubled Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal, who watched it wide of his right-hand post.
Frustration
The visitors' frustration then began to tell as Chris Eagles twice fired tame efforts at Adriano Basso, while Joey Gudjonsson unsuccessfully tried his luck from distance.
Perhaps the best chance of the first half fell to defender Jamie McCombe in the 25th minute.
Jensen dithered over whether or not to come for a testing McIndoe cross and as he did McCombe rose in the Burnley box but nodded his effort wide of the left-hand post.
City frontman Stern John headed wide when well placed inside the box and Paterson curled a shot wide as half-time approached but the game remained goalless.
Johnson made a bold substitution at the break, replacing midfielder Gavin Williams with striker Lee Trundle.
And the decision had the desired impact when Trundle flicked the ball on for John who advanced into the Burnley box.
Penalty
Clarets defender Clark Carlisle at full stretch was adjudged to have fouled John but controversially it was the linesman and not the referee who awarded the spot-kick. Jensen guessed the right way but could not stop Maynard from notching his fifth of the season.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle then introduced Thompson and in the 57th minute saw his side level matters.
An Eagles free-kick was headed back across the face of face of goal where Paterson was ready to nod home the equaliser and his ninth league goal of the season from close range.
Eagles then had a chance to put the away side ahead but his deflected effort was superbly parried to safety by Basso.
But Burnley did take the lead 13 minutes from time following good work from Paterson down the right.
After driving for the byline he checked back and crossed with his left foot for Thompson, who did well to fire a left-footed shot into the roof of Basso's goal.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
