Burnley ended a mini-slump of six games without a win thanks to a thoroughly deserved victory over an in-form Preston.

A Dimitri Papadopoulos strike just before the break gave the home side the lead, and a marvellous Robbie Blake free-kick midway through the second half sealed the points.

Manager Stan Ternent made two changes from the side beaten 7-4 by Watford at home on Saturday, with goalkeeper Marlon Beresford paying the price for some indifferent performances recently as Greek stopper Nik Michopoulos took his place, while Papadopoulos replaced Tony Grant.

The changes certainly had an effect in the early stages as Burnley started positively. First a Lee Briscoe corner was well cleared by Michael Jackson, before moments later Dean West volleyed wide from distance.

Gareth Taylor, who grabbed a hat-trick in that amazing Hornets defeat, had an excellent chance on 13 minutes when he headed a Blake free-kick just past the left post.

The visitors almost took an undeserved lead on the half hour. American winger Eddie Lewis curled a 20-yard free-kick against the bar, and somehow Richard Cresswell managed to head the rebound over the bar.

Burnley finally pressed home their advantage four minutes before the interval when Papadopoulos slotted home after Preston keeper David Lucas had brilliantly saved Taylor's header.

While Papadopoulos was doing his part at one end, fellow Greece international Michopoulos produced the goods at the other end 10 minutes after the restart.

Cresswell drove a smart left-foot shot from the edge of the area which the Burnley keeper brilliantly parried around the post.

Four minutes later Lucas produced an equally good save at the other end from a Blake shot, but the former Bradford hitman did not have to wait too much longer to get his name on the scoresheet.

Scotland international Graham Alexander fouled Taylor 30-yards out, and Blake hit a stunning free-kick into the top left-hand corner which left Lucas with no chance.

Skipper Stephen Davis almost stretched Burnley's lead even further when he volleyed just wide from the edge of the area with 13 minutes left.

And a smart Michopoulos save from Alexander aside, the Clarets comfortably played out the rest of the match.

Teams

Burnley: Michopoulos, West, Stephen Davis, McGregor, Branch, Ian Moore, Weller, Briscoe, Papadopoulos (Grant 85), Taylor, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Beresford, O'Neill, Pilkington, Chaplow.

Goals: Papadopoulos 42, Blake 61.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti, O'Neil, Mears, Etuhu (Cartwright 69), McKenna, Lewis (Skora 77), Cresswell, Lynch (Abbott 73).

Subs Not Used: Bailey, Lonergan.

Att: 12,245

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).