Clarets take over at the top
Sean Dyche's unfancied Burnley side climbed to the top of the Championship for the first time in seven years as they
silenced the in-form Federico Macheda and won 2-0 at Doncaster.
Although the Clarets were promoted to the Premier League in 2009, they never actually reached the second tier's
summit during that ascension and doing so now represents a real achievement for Dyche and his players.
They were given little chance of mounting a serious promotion push in the wake of Charlie Austin's transfer to QPR,
but in the form of Sam Vokes and Danny Ings they have more than replaced his goals.
The pair have now scored 17 between them this season and Vokes' 45th-minute penalty looked like being the
difference in this one until Rob Jones, who gave the spot kick away, put through his own goal late on to seal it.
In between times Manchester United's Macheda - with three goals in two games - wasted a fine chance to get
Doncaster level but on a night of few opportunities, his side paid the price.
Rovers have looked a different side since Macheda joined them - the Italian displaying an aptitude not always
apparent during previous loan spells - and it was he who had the first chance of the contest.
He got in down the right-hand side of Burnley's box and tricked the defence with a faux shot before eventually pulling
the trigger, but Tom Heaton was wise to his moves and blocked it with his legs.
That entertaining start was followed by a full stop, though, and it took until the 23rd minute for another chance to
arrive as Ben Mee dipped a 25-yard effort over Doncaster's bar.
One opportunity apiece looked fair for a dour first half but, as the whistle approached, Richie Wellens was caught in
possession, Vokes was released into the box and Jones clumsily sent him tumbling.
Wellens was perhaps guilty of being too pedestrian - understandable owing to the nature of the half - but Vokes
ensured he was punished as he went to Ross Turnbull's right.
The penalty will have changed the complexion of the half-time team talks but the standard of play quickly returned to
what it had been after the break, until Jones nearly put through his own goal as the clock struck 57.
Vokes should have added a second not longer after that but scuffed well wide after breaking in on the right, before
Doncaster finally threatened again as the ball fell to Macheda six yards out. That he quickly covered his face with his
shirt summed up the quality of his effort which went high and wide.
Just as Wellens had done in the first half, Paul Quinn then dallied on the ball to allow Michael Kightly to get free but,
as he pulled back for the waiting Vokes, Jones stuck a leg out to clear the danger and keep Doncaster alive.
They nearly made the most of their reprieve as Macheda weaved in and out of trouble before being snuffed out by
Heaton, with Jones then heading a corner over the bar.
They failed to make a serious case for an equaliser, though, and with two minutes left Jones was in the wrong place
at the wrong time as Kieran Trippier's vicious cross hit the post and rebounded into a packed six-yard box before
going in.
Source: PA
