Michael Ricketts' first goal for Burnley was enough to claim victory and reverse the Clarets' dreadful run of form in their Coca-Cola Championship clash with Plymouth at Turf Moor.

Ricketts, on loan from Leeds from the remainder of the season, collected a ball from Micah Hyde to drill the ball right-footed into the bottom left of the goal from close range in the 24th minute.

However, the hosts were grateful for a number of saves from goalkeeper Brian Jensen as Argyle pressed for the equaliser.

The Clarets were looking to reverse a run which had seen them claim two points from six league matches since Boxing Day.

In contrast, Plymouth were looking to continue their climb away from the relegation zone after winning three and drawing one of their last four games and there were just two points separating the sides.

It was the Clarets who showed first, Gareth O'Connor testing Romain Larrieu in the Pilgrims' goal with a 25-yard free-kick in the fifth minute.

The visitors responded with Nick Chadwick's right-footed shot in the six-yard box saved by Jensen.

Burnley were making few inroads despite the probing of forwards Gifton Noel-Williams and Ricketts before the latter made the breakthrough in the 24th minute.

Burnley continued to attack, Noel-Williams trying his luck with a long-range shot which failed to trouble the keeper with the visitors posing little threat until shortly before half-time.

Micky Evans twice had close-range headers but failed to get his first on target before keeper Jensen saved his second attempt.

Jensen was also called on to parry Chadwick's right-footed shot and Elliott Ward drilled a right-footed shot.

The second half started scrappily with neither side creating any clear-cut openings before Argyle had two shots in quick succession - Jensen saving from Evans and Ward which seemed to rouse Burnley who forced two quick corners.

Jon Harley had a 20-yard free-kick saved by Argyle keeper Larrieu before the visitors made two changes - Evans and Anthony Barness being replaced by Chris Zebroski and Akos Buzsaky respectively - as manager Tony Pulis ooked to find a way through.

Paul Wotton tried his luck with a 35-yard free-kick before David Norris' long-range shot was saved by Jensen as Argyle began to apply some pressure.

Jensen was being kept busy as he saved a close-range header by Wotton from Buzsaky's free-kick from the right but it was to no avail as the Clarets held on to claim three vital points.

Teams

Burnley Jensen, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Harley,James O'Connor, Hyde, Garreth O'Connor (Elliott 72), Branch,Noel-Williams, Ricketts.

Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, McCann, Spicer, Courtney.

Goals: Ricketts 24.

Plymouth Larrieu, Barness (Buzsaky 75), Doumbe, Ward,Connolly, Norris, Nalis, Wotton, Capaldi, Evans (Zebroski 76),Chadwick.

Subs Not Used: McCormick, Aljofree, Hodges.

Att: 11,292

Ref: T Kettle (Berkshire).