Burnley 2 Sheff Wed 7

Last updated : 26 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Relegated Sheffield Wednesday gave their fans some cheer after a miserable season with their biggest win of the campaign.

The Owls rattled in seven goals to inflict further damage on the worst defence in the first division.

The scene was set within three minutes when Paul McLaren's speculative shot was spilled by Nik Micholpoulos and trickled inside the post.

Two minutes later more awful Burnley defending let in Ashley Westwood who couldn't believe his luck and fired home Brian Barry-Muphy's centre, and Burnley's misery continued when Ian Moore was sent off for stamping on Barry-Murphy.

On the half hour Chris Turner's side, backed by a vociferous 4,000 strong support, made it 3-0 when Michopoulos allowed a mis-hit shot from Richard Wood to bobble over him.

The Clarets were handed a life line just before the break when the lively Matty O'Neill's cross was handled by Westwood and Robbie Blake sent substitute keeper Chris Stringer the wrong way from the spot.

Half-time substitute Richard Evans made an immediate impact when his cross-shot looped over substitute keeper Marlon Beresford a minute after joining the fray.

Burnley again pulled a goal back when Blake's shot was fumbled by Stringer and the ball dropped agonisingly over the line.

The Burnley crowd trooped out of the ground in disgust when Steven Haslam's effort bobbled over Beresford's despairing dive, and Wednesday added a sixth goal 18 minutes from time when Grant Holt's cross was turned into his own net by Arthur Gnohere.

There was still time for the goal of the game, a 30 yard screamer from midfielder Alan Quinn, that flew past Beresford's left hand into the far corner.

While Wednesday supporters are optimistic after their relegation to the Second Division, Burnley were left with the worst defensive record in the division and pondering a tough season next time out.