Burnley moved one step closer to securing a play-off place after beating Sheffield United.
Burnley boost play-off claim and hit Blades' automatic hopes
Burnley moved one step closer to securing a play-off place with a hard-fought win over promotion rivals Sheffield United.
A 23rd-minute header by top scorer Martin Paterson was enough to secure a fourth straight home win for the Clarets, who leapfrogged Reading into fifth.
Paterson recovered from a hamstring complaint in time to partner Robbie Blake in attack and the Northern Ireland international claimed his 18th goal of the season to end the Blades' unbeaten record on the road, which stretched back to October.
Burnley are now four points clear of seventh-placed Swansea with just two games left, while Sheffield United also look destined for the play-offs as they remain four points adrift of second-placed Birmingham.
Furious
The game began at a furious pace and the hosts had the first chance when Wade Elliott pounced on a loose ball on halfway and drove at the Blades defence.
The Clarets midfielder shifted the ball onto his left foot, beating defender Chris Morgan in the process, and clipped the outside of a post with a curling 20-yard effort.
Blake proved a constant thorn in the South Yorkshire club's side and after twisting and turning on the edge of the box found Christian Kalvenes.
The Burnley left-back crossed for Chris McCann but his header did not trouble goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and flew over the crossbar.
The best effort the Blades had on goal was Greg Halford's tame free-kick which Burnley keeper Brian Jensen unconvincingly parried to safety.
But the opening goal arrived when full-back Rhys Williams swung in a right-wing cross and Paterson stole in front of Morgan to glance a header inside the far post.
A last-ditch intervention from star man Clarke Carlisle denied Craig Beattie a shot at goal in the closing stages of the first half, while Stephen Caldwell diverted Darius Henderson's goalbound shot over the bar as United looked to level.
Blake picked up where he left off causing trouble down the left flank and Elliott drew the first save of the second half shortly after the break with a volley from the edge of the box which Kenny saved comfortably.
Carlisle then headed over his own crossbar as Halford's header across goal threatened to drop to several advancing attackers.
Clever
Blake weaved his way along the by-line again moments later and pulled it back for McCann, who had time to control the ball in the box and force a fine save from Kenny.
Henderson blazed over from the edge of the box on the hour mark after the ball fell kindly for him.
McCann broke down the left with 63 minutes on the clock and cleverly shipped the ball to Blake to sting the palms of Kenny with a thumping 20-yard drive.
Paterson had a header ruled out for offside late on as the Clarets comfortably secured all three points to give themselves some breathing space in the play-off race.
