Michael Kightly’s 54th minute goal saw already-promoted Burnley to a 1-0 victory over Town at Turf Moor and ended the Blues’ hopes of reaching the play-offs. Tommy Smith had a first-half header nodded off the line and sub Paul Taylor’s late freekick was well saved, but overall the Clarets deserved their victory.

Frazer Richardson was handed the right midfield role — rather than the central position anticipated before kick-off - with Paul Anderson missing out with the hamstring injury he aggravated in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Paul Green came into the centre alongside Cole Skuse with Anthony Wordsworth missing out with the dead leg he suffered on Monday. Luke Hyam remains on the sidelines with a hip flexor strain.

Christophe Berra was back at the heart of the defence with skipper Luke Chambers moving to right-back. Freddie Veseli was on the bench for the first time since he returned from his loan spell at Bury.

Having confirmed their promotion via a 2-0 win against Wigan on Monday, Burnley, wearing a vintage kit to celebrate their 1914 FA Cup win, struck the game’s first shot in the second minute, Scott Arfield’s effort deflecting wide from Danny Ings’s knockdown.

Daryl Murphy hit the first shot of the game for the Blues, who were wearing last season’s white and black away kit, from the edge of the box in the 10th minute but Ben Mee blocked.

Ashley Barnes just failed to reach Ings’s knockdown in the 11th minute as the home fans began a round of applause in tribute to Robbie Williamson, an 11-year-old boy who died earlier in the week after falling in a canal.

On 20 Burnley keeper Tom Heaton came off his line quickly to claim ahead of Stephen Hunt, but largely both keepers had been spectators.

Smith was booked for a tactical foul on Ings in the 25th minute after Aaron Cresswell had given the ball away midway inside the Blues’ half.

The New Zealand international was close to opening the scoring two minutes later when Kieran Trippier nodded his header off the line and over after Berra had knocked Richardson’s corner from the right back across the edge of the six-yard box.

The Blues were starting to look more dangerous, winning a number of corners. But on the half hour, following one of those Town flagkicks, the Clarets broke quickly but Arfield was unable to direct Kightly’s right-wing cross towards goal. On 33, Gerken claimed Barnes’s shot down to his right.

Burnley skipper Jason Shackell cut out Chambers’s right-sided cross as a rather lacklustre half moved into its final five minutes.

Murphy and Jonny Williams exchanged passes on the left in the 41st minute, the Irishman whipping over a teasing cross to the far post which Richardson couldn’t direct goalwards when under pressure from Kightly.

A minute later, Ings shot in to the side-netting, then Murphy cut in from the right before shooting across the face of goal. The less than exciting first period was brought to a close with no further significant action.

Town probably had the best chance of the first 45 minutes, with Smith’s header goal-bound until Trippier’s intervention.

But overall the Blues never gave the impression that they were a side desperately in need of three points to stay in the play-off race.

At the other end, Gerken hadn’t been seriously tested, although Burnley frontmen Ings and Barnes had had one or two threatening moments.

The home side took the lead with the second half’s first opportunity in the 54th minute. Barnes fed Ings, who took the ball into the area past Chambers before the advancing Gerken blocked, but Kightly, who played for Blues boss Mick McCarthy at Wolves, tapped the loose ball home from close range.

Immediately Blues subs Taylor, Frank Nouble and Jack Marriott started warming up on the touchline.

Ings shot not too far wide from distance just prior to the hour mark before the Clarets swapped Junior Stanislas for Kightly. Two minutes later, after Williams had received what looked like a high boot to the head inside the penalty area, Taylor and Nouble replaced Hunt and Richardson as the Blues moved to 4-3-3.

There was a scare for Town in the 69th minute when Stanislas nodded Dave Jones’s freekick from the right back across the box but Smith was on hand to block Barnes’s shot. Moments later, the Town centre-half similarly got in the way of an Ings strike with the Blues somewhat under the cosh.

Burnley almost went two goals in front in the 73rd minute when Ings crashed Dean Marney’s low cross from the right against the underside of the bar, the loose ball falling safely.

The Clarets were continuing to look the more likely scorers with the Blues rarely threatening Heaton’s goal. On 78 Green did well to intercept Marney’s ball for Stanislas as the home side broke after a Town corner.

The Blues weren’t far from an equaliser in the 80th minute when Heaton clawed Taylor’s curling 20-yard freekick wide after Green had been fouled by Michael Duff.

Williams was booked for a foul on the veteran Burnley defender soon after, then Nouble looped a powerful shot over from the edge of the box, the first signs that the Blues might stage a fightback in the final few minutes.

Nouble curled another effort wide on 88, then in the final minute centre-half Berra, who had by now been thrown forward as an additional striker, flicked Taylor’s excellent right-wing cross just wide.

But the comeback which would have taken Town’s play-off challenge into the final week of the season never came, Brighton’s victory over Yeovil last night having put the Seagulls four points ahead of the Blues.

Overall, it was an underwhelming manner in which to end the push for sixth place, Town having shown little urgency until after the home side had gone in front.

Even after Taylor and Nouble had been introduced, Burnley continued to look the more likely scorers — and Ings was unlucky not to increase their lead when he hit the bar - with the former Peterborough man’s freekick the nearest the Blues got to an equaliser.

Burnley: Heaton, Tripper, Shackell (c), Duff, Mee, Arfield (Wallace 71), Marney, Jones, Kightly (Stanislas 63), Barnes, Ings (Treacy 90). Unused: Cisak, Edgar, Baird, Long.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Cresswell, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Richardson (Nouble 65), Green, Hunt (Taylor 65), Williams, Murphy. Unused: Loach, Mings, Veseli, Tabb, Marriott. Referee: James Linington (Newport, Isle of Wight). Att: 14,574 (Town: 460).

Photo: Action Images

bring_back_Wickham added 14:50 - Apr 26 Poor team selection. Why did we play 1 striker and a defender in midfield when needed to win this game?
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wickfordtractorboy added 14:50 - Apr 26 Firstly, fantastic progress on last season and McCarthy has done wonders with the shambles Paul Jewell left behind. However, my one criticism of Mick has always been the 'set up the team to match the opponents and not lose' philosophy he has employed since day one, even the cup games vs Preston as one example. Today, playing 5 defenders when we needed to win or bust, with Vaseli coming onto the bench, has cost us. At minimum, we could have played Nouble or Green out of position wide right rather than a defender and Tabb as a centre mid, regardless of how badly he's played second half of the season. Henshall, if he's so promising, could have filled that extra bench position. If we went for it and got stuffed, what have we lost - nothing. By being defensive and hoping for a late winner all we've done is ended up with the same result and a sour taste in the mouth. Still, on to next season and hopefully sort the midfield out over the summer and a promotion push from the start. COYB!

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PavlovsCat added 14:50 - Apr 26 I thought Skuse played well today. He did play, didn't he?
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blueboy1981 added 14:52 - Apr 26 jason0999........ take your point on the strength in depth scenario - but what about the diabolical tactics deployed today ? From the start you would have thought we had gone there - yet again - to preserve the point we start with. This squad is / has been capable of more - the tactics being the main issue for most of the season. By being negative we invite more than necessary pressure - one mistake - and we are losing, as seen today again. From the evidence we all saw today - Who would have thought we went out to WIN it ...... ??

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bring_back_Wickham added 14:52 - Apr 26 Poor team selection. Why play one striker and a defender in midfield when we need to win?
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wickfordtractorboy added 14:53 - Apr 26 PS hopefully Marriott and Mings can start next week, maybe get Henshall and Lawrence on from the bench for a bit of experience. Neither team has anything to lose or gain so nobody can criticise some young players getting a shot at 'this level'
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BillBlue added 14:56 - Apr 26 A good season? Ye Gods! We might, with a bit of luck, finish in the top half of the Second Division and that constitutes a Good Season? I agree with the comments made by Pip50 and I would add we will not have a good season while this clown is still at our club, the clown that boasts he would have 'kicked Johnny Williams' and thinks that is clever! Please do not give me the old malarkey about lack of finances because, while I agree they are disastrous, they are no worse than Burnley's the only difference between the two sides is a football Manager running theirs while a clown is running ours. For those of you can reckon - we did not have a better season this year than last the reverse is obvious. While Mr. Clown was, believedly, earning his £1m he, in the time he was with us, took us into what would have been the top six, so what happened? Now get busy and hit the negative button and really encourage me.

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StowTractorBoy added 14:58 - Apr 26 With the resources at his disposal MM has done a fantastic job and how many other managers would challenge for the play offs in the last but one game of the season with our squad. I agree the entertainment value has not been great but you can only play to your strengths and at the moment we have no pace and no midfield craftsman. I am confident that MM will put this right in the close season. Rome was not built in a day as they say and this season has seen a progression. Easy to look back on what ifs but the Blackpool at home game Watford away and that absolutely terrible performance at Millwall has cost us dearly coupled with the fact that we have thrown away numerous points after taking the lead. Its not all doom and gloom and think of how worried we all were last season before finally securing our championship place. Look forward to the summer now and hopefully more rebuilding.

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NoelTheDub added 15:00 - Apr 26 The player to take the ball from defense is Williams but look were Mick deploys the lad when he did break free he himself was the most advanced player and had to stop and wait until the rest came out of our half.What Micks thinking is I dont know on that also the square peg plan beggers belief..
8

StanwayBlue added 15:00 - Apr 26 Moan moan moan moan..... I would ask all the moaners and critics, what did you expect / hope for at the beginning of the season? I think they have done brilliantly given their limitations.
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TimmyH added 15:03 - Apr 26 Very very average performance and effort considering we had an outside chance of the play-offs! First half was reasonable as we pushed the midfield up into their half but hardly created anything but had to say they looked slightly disinterested other than the first 5 minutes. Second half not much better and only a few half chances towards the end but notable our 2 best bits of quality came from Taylor once he came on. Well we exit the play-off chase with a bit of a whimper and let's face it we really don't have the quality. A work in progress? well that's debatable from when Mick took over last season but when one thing's for certain one of the poorest non-creative midfields we've had in some time (including the Keane/PJ reign) which needs a major overhaul in the summer. Have to say also as the season has gone on Skuse has disappointed. At least relegation has disappeared and we are largely a more organised outfit but can Mick take us to bigger things?

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warktheline added 15:05 - Apr 26 Industrious bordering on laborious today. Without wee JW putting a touch of class to his continued efforts, proceedings would have looked far worse. Most certainly have sympathy for fans who have paid continually to watch that kind of football this season, that said, I believe we are only a couple of players short of pushing on next season. I fully expect Mick to change approach next campaign to a more positive style. Hopefully signings and fully fit squad will see to that. Without doubt, we are now well established in the Championship!

1

Elizabeth added 15:07 - Apr 26 Oh well that's that! Too little too late ...
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blueboy1981 added 15:07 - Apr 26 StanwayBlue .......... howabout trying at least, to understand the difference between so called 'moaning' and 'constructive comment' ....... may help you.
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TimmyH added 15:08 - Apr 26 spot on @billblue - what I have been saying for some time.
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Luka added 15:12 - Apr 26 Next season, something like this MIGHT be town's XI Walker Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Mings Anderson, Hyam, Skuse, Williams (IF BERRA and CRESSWELL are sold) Henshall McGoldrick would like to see more additions, especially to give cover. Maybe sign Michael Jacobs from Wolves, Dale Jennings from Barnsley) (Also, IF Fulham drop, which I don't see happening, try and get Stockdale back?)

-2

Langdon_Blue added 15:14 - Apr 26 Hopefully Marriott and Mings will be given a chance for the last game of the season. When McGoldrick got injured I thought our season might be over, so to take it to the second from last game is encouraging for next season. Well played this year lads!
2

wychyblue added 15:14 - Apr 26 Difficult to understand MM's thoughts. To play a team of 8 defensive players out of the eleven when a win is a must ? Created very little , played poorly LOST 1-0 . We did exactly the same at middlesborough last month ie 8 defensive players , create one shot all game , LOST 2-0. Will not progress if does the same next year - expect mid table mediocrity
8

wychyblue added 15:14 - Apr 26 Difficult to understand MM's thoughts. To play a team of 8 defensive players out of the eleven when a win is a must ? Created very little , played poorly LOST 1-0 . We did exactly the same at middlesborough last month ie 8 defensive players , create one shot all game , LOST 2-0. Will not progress if does the same next year - expect mid table mediocrity
2

bluefeast added 15:15 - Apr 26 My wish is for a balanced attacking side for next season. We've papered over the cracks this season to a degree.
4

blueboy1981 added 15:20 - Apr 26 warktheline .........admire your efforts to always look the positive side 'of the line' throughout the season - I hope your optimism for next season materialises. I also suspect the tactics / substitutions scenarios have tested your belief on more than one occasion this season - if not it should have done !! lol.
4

wychyblue added 15:21 - Apr 26 Good shout Luka. Saw Michael Jacobs play for wolves at Crewe a couple of weeks ago and he was by a country mile the stand out player on the pitch . Dale Jennings by all accounts also very good ( bayern Munich must have seen something in him) . Both fit the budget (very small) also
0

Cloddyseedbed added 15:24 - Apr 26 Embarrassing lame performance on Sky live TV. No wonder we have not featured on Sky this year. I only watched it as I'm a Town supporter but to the neutral, I'm sure they would have turned off or gone for a walk. If Burnley are good enough to get up into the Premier League that is a bit worrying. McCarthy and the players had obviously decided before the game that they had had enough of trying to reach the playoffs this year. I feel disappointed for the away fans, who once again travelled a long way to witness such a poor team display. I have a season ticket for next season but I fear the playing staff will produce a similar way of playing football next year, even with additions gained from free transfers and loans and I'm not expecting much skill and passing next season either. Just a lot of effort and huffing and puffing. If Norwich do come down as we hope they will crucify us next year. Same boring style next year - God I hope not!

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Jimmy86 added 15:25 - Apr 26 Upon reflection progress has been made and mick has done a good job with the lack of funds he recieved from the owner in the summer. Last season we only guranteed our safety with 2 games to go, this season we have just had our play off hopes dashed. This aside the football this season has generally been fairly poor and not very entertaining. But has achieved results on the most part. The tactics and mentality have been very negative as was demonstrated today, in a must win game. If this is down to a lack of quality, then this needs to be addressed in the summer with backing from the owner, if this is down to mick's mentality then this is clearly more of an issue. The fact we have dropped 30 points from winning positions is not good enough and we bottled it over the easter weekend. Optimism for next season if funds are forthcoming. Good season, but could have been better

3

JWM added 15:25 - Apr 26 Over to you now Evans!
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