Martyn Busby about to be stretchered off
Summary of Peter Higgs' report. Despite endeavour and effort, Tuesday's match away against Oldham was an unhappy evening for Brian Miller's patched up side. Not only did they lose 2-1, they had 5 men booked, and loan signing Martyn Busby was stretchered off just before half- time. They have taken one point from their last five matches, scored only 6 goals in their last 10 outings, and with 11 fixtures to go they are three points away from the safety zone. However, whilst they are favourites to go down, it would be wrong to write them off, not while they are trying as hard as they did on Tuesday. However, poor passing and play meant they did not pose much threat to Oldham keeper Peter McDonnell's goal, and they once again faded in the second half, although the loss of Busby may have disrupted them. Up to half time they were well in with a chance of a result. In an evenly contested first half, they went behind in the 16th minute but were level five minutes later. Atkinson scored for Oldham from 18 yards. Billy Hamilton almost immediately forced a save from McDonnell, with a header from an Arins free kick, and within a minute they were level when Arins lashed in a free kick after Hamilton was fouled. Two excellent saves from Stevenson kept Burnley in the game, and they may have had a penalty when Jakub was brought down by Kowenicki. Robinson, Hamilton and Smith were all booked in the space of 8 minutes for fouls, but none was as malicious as the kick on Busby by Clements, for which he was booked, and Busby was stretchered off. Oldham's lively youngsters got on top in the second half and record £80,000 signing, Rodger Wylde netted the decider in the 54th minute. The Clarets continued to battle hard, with Overson and Brennan both booked for fouls but did not create scoring chances. Billy Hamilton deserved more support, Paul Dixon held the defence together, and Alan Stevenson was reliable in goal but overall Burnley were poor, and it makes me wonder if the sale of Peter Noble was premature. Manager Brian Miller will have to redouble his efforts to strengthen the team if the Clarets are to stay up. Burnley: Stevenson, Arins, Brennan, Busby, (sub. Cavener) V. Overson, Dixon, James, Robinson, Hamilton, Jakub, Smith. Oldham: McDonnell, Wood, Holt, Kowenicki, Clements, Hurst, Hilton, Wylde, Steel, Stainrod, Atkinson. Sub. Heaton not used. Ref. Mr. D. Owen, Bebington. Attendance, 9,519.