A goal in each half from Darren Bent was enough to give Town a 2-0 victory in a scrappy game at Burnley. The on-fire frontman put the Blues ahead on the quarter hour and settled the game with a stunning shot in the 65th minute.

Joe Royle chose Kelvin Davis ahead of Lewis Price in goal, while Jason De Vos was OK to play at centre-back despite the bloodclot on his leg.

Skipper Jim Magilton eked out Town's first opportunity of the game, the midfielder sending Darren Bent away on the left and the striker crossing for Shefki Kuqi, whose shot went wide.

Burnley are in the midst of an injury crisis and Frank Sinclair was added to the physio's work-load in the seventh minute when he limped off with a leg injury.

Kevin Horlock was close to opening his Town goals account on 11 when he curled a 25-yard freekick on to the angle of post and crossbar, Bent having been fouled form former Blue John McGreal.

On 15, Richard Duffy caught Fabian Wilnis in possession on the Town left. Duffy brought the ball into the area but was dispossessed by an excellent Kevin Horlock challenge.

Kelvin Davis immediately sent a long ball forward for Bent to chase, his cause made easier when makeshift centre-half Lee Roche allowed it to go over his head. Bent had time to pick his spot as keeper Jensen advanced and made no mistake.

Four minutes later, Robbie Blake had the ball in the Town net but the linesman's flag had already been raised.

Clarets' sub Amadou Sanokho hit a 25-yarder in the 25th minute which Kelvin Davis saved but couldn't hold on to, the ball fortunately falling safely. Shortly afterwards Mo Camara hit a similar effort which Davis also stopped.

On 34, Town skipper Jim Magilton picked up a yellow card for a foul on Tony Grant on the edge of the Blues' box. Magilton had been given the ball in a difficult situation by Jason De Vos, something the Northern Irishman made very clear he was less than impressed with. Blake's freekick struck the stanchion of Davis's goal.

Four minutes later, Bent was again sent away chasing a ball over the top, taking it past Jensen, who had advanced well outside his area, before Graham Branch came across to clear the danger.

There were calls for a Town penalty soon after when Roche appeared to pull Bent to the ground just inside the area. Referee Mike Pike felt there was no foul.

Just before the break, a Tommy Miller shot from 25 yards gave keeper Jensen little trouble.

The first half hadn't been pretty with Burnley not allowing Town any time on the ball, making it difficult for the Blues to get their passing going. Town had had the better of the game early on, however, the home side had enjoyed more possession towards the end of the half, although Kelvin Davis hadn't been seriously tested.

Tommy Miller became the second Town player to get his name in the referee's book in the 50th minute when he fouled Michael Duffy.

Robbie Blake sought to catch keeper Kelvin Davis out with a freekick on 53, the striker shooting from a position wide on the left when a cross looked a more likely option. Davis was equal to him and claimed the ball at stomach height.

Darren Bent went looking for his second goal of the game three minutes later, running on to a Richard Naylor through ball. The striker took the ball inside a defender on the edge of the box but hit a weak shot to keeper Jensen.

Roche picked up a yellow card on the hour for a foul on Ian Westlake just outside the penalty area. Jim Magilton's freekick struck the wall and went for a corner, which Richard Naylor headed over the bar.

The game's only moment of real quality came in the 65th minute. Magilton played the ball wide on the right to Darren Bent, who cut into the penalty area before lashing a shot into the top corner of Jensen's net. It was a superb goal and probably the finest Bent has scored for the Blues.

Two minutes later, Burnley ought to have pulled a goal back. Camara crossed from the left and Micah Hyde headed the ball over the bar from practically on the goal line.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Westlake played through Bent but Jensen parried away his save, the ball falling safely. Boss Joe Royle decided to make a change and Matt Richards replaced Jim Magilton in midfield.

In the closing stages Richards hit a shot across the face of goal and Miller had a shot saved, as the Blues saw out the last few minutes with little incident.

Very much a battled three points for Town, with Burnley never really giving the Blues the time and space to play their best football. The wet conditions also played a role in a match which was rarely pretty on the eye.

The home side showed far more attacking endeavour than they did in the game at Portman Road last month, although that wasn't difficult, but failed to test Kelvin Davis with anything other than shots from distance.

The defence gained another clean sheet, the second in a week, and Richard Naylor in particular had an excellent game. Former Town defender John McGreal was probably the pick of the home players and received a good reception from his old fans prior to the match. Ex-Claret Drissa Diallo was booed throughout.

Darren Bent's second goal was one to remember and a candidate for Town goal of the season so far. For his first he showed great composure when given plenty of time one-on-one with the keeper.

Wigan's defeat is more good news for the Blues who next face Leeds at Portman Road on Saturday.

Town: Davis, Diallo, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Magilton (Richards 75), Miller, Horlock, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi.

Photo: Action Images

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