Nugent strikes again to secure point for Burnley

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 23:33

DAVID Nugent displayed his scoring touch for the second match in a row but Burnley had to settle for a point when what they really needed was a victory.

It means that while Brian Laws' side move above Hull they remain in the relegation zone.

Tuncay opened the scoring for Stoke in the 23rd minute but Burnley rallied in the second-half.

Laws, though, is finding it hard to make an impact since replacing Owen Coyle as manager in January. This was his ninth league match in charge and they have won only won. Next up are fellow strugglers Wolves on Saturday – another massive game.

Stoke almost made the breakthrough as early as the third minute when Abdoulaye Faye clipped a shot wide of the post following a corner from Liam Lawrence.

There followed a decent spell of pressure by Burnley but they could not take take advantage. Danny Fox whipped in a free-kick that was diverted to safety by Danny Collins. Then Chris Eagles was set up by Martin Paterson in the 14th minute following a short spell of pressure by the home side. However the former Manchester United midfielder sent his effort nearer the corner flag than the goal, much to his frustration.

Stoke took the lead following a long throw from Rory Delap. It was flicked on by Mamady Sidibe to Tuncay, who headed home.

Burnley made a bright start to the second period and Eagles latched on to a pass from Nugent. He skipped forward to the edge of the area only to go to ground following a challenge from Delap. Eagles appealed for a free-kick but referee Howard Webb would have none of it and allowed play to continue. Burnley stunned Stoke by drawing level in the 52nd minute with a goal out of nothing. Paterson turned Collins inside out before delivering a superb cross deep into the area.

Nugent was the first to react and left Sorensen stranded with a powerful header – his sixth goal for the club.

Burnley came close to getting the winner in the closing moments of the game with Eagles sending a shot over the bar and substitute McDonald finding the wrong side of the post with his effort.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox (Jordan 77), Paterson, Alexander, Cork (McDonald 46), Eagles, Nugent, Thompson (Elliott 71). Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Blake, Bikey.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Lawrence (Pugh 63), Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Sanli (Moult 85), Sidibe (Kitson 63). Subs not used: Begovic, Amdy Faye, Davies, Lund.

Referee: H Webb.

Attendance: 20,323