Burnley this week announced an increase in season-ticket prices, but even the most thrifty supporter cannot argue about value for money after a breathtaking encounter with Watford.

Eleven goals, two-hat-tricks and countless peaks and troughs on an emotional rollercoaster were the rewards for those who snubbed the Grand National in favour of a trip to Turf Moor.

Gareth Taylor and Watford's on-loan Newcastle striker Michael Chopra made the most of two alarmingly porous defences, with the latter's stoppage-time strike - his fourth of the game - ensuring there was no doubt about who kept the match ball.

Steve Davis grabbed Burnley's other goal, while Wayne Brown, Micah Hyde and Neil Cox also got their names on the scoresheet for the visitors.

There was little in the early moments to suggest such a rush of goals, with Brown's opener from a Neal Ardley corner the first effort on target. Goalkeeper Marlon Beresford managed to get a hand on the downward header, but could not prevent the ball crossing the line.

Taylor proved his worth in the air two minutes later, although he would have been hard pressed to miss from the edge of the six-yard box following Robbie Blake's centre.

The Burnley fans had had barely enough time to warm up their vocal chords when Watford regained the initiative, Hyde finding the bottom corner of the net after collecting Gavin Mahon's centre.

Disappointment turned to despair among the home support in the 26th minute. Slack marking again cost Burnley, with Cox the grateful beneficiary as he powered Ardley's corner past Beresford.

Chopra, on loan from Newcastle, joined in on the act before the half-hour was up, beating Beresford with a smart finish from 18 yards after Davis' misplaced pass.

Although Davis atoned for his error from close range, it looked merely like a consolation strike. Until, that was, Taylor registered his second headed goal, Ian Moore this time the provider.

Such was the hectic nature of the game that it hardly came as a surprise when Chopra got on the end of Paulo Vernazza's cross to restore Watford's two-goal advantage, but Taylor, with the completion of his hat-trick, ensured Burnley went in at the interval with renewed hope.

Chopra needed just over a quarter of an hour to emulate Taylor's achievement, but not before Watford goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain had denied Taylor and Arthur Gnohere in quick succession.

Taylor hit the woodwork with another header in the dying minutes, and Chopra capitalised seconds later with a well-taken volley.

Teams

Burnley: Beresford, West, Stephen Davis, McGregor (O'Neill 76), Branch (Papadopoulos 62), Weller, Grant (Gnohere 45), Briscoe, Ian Moore, Blake, Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Michopoulos, Pilkington.

Booked: McGregor.

Goals: Taylor 15, Stephen Davis 35, Taylor 39, 45.

Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Brown, Mahon, Glass, Ardley, Vernazza, Hyde, Nielsen, Chopra, Tommy Smith (Norville 90).

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Ifil, Hand, Lee.

Booked: Hyde.

Goals: Brown 13, Hyde 16, Cox 26, Chopra 29, 40, 61, 90.

Att: 10,208

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).