Clarets’ Chris sees off his former club

CHRIS WOOD kept up his hot scoring streak against former club Brighton to help earn a precious victory for Burnley.

Wood, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Seagulls, made it seven goals in nine starts against Chris Hughton’s men – and eight in all since he left the south coast.

First he pounced on a blunder by Lewis Dunk and then coolly slotted home, teed up by Dwight McNeil.

Ashley Barnes, another former Brighton man, added a 74th-minute penalty to further boost Burnley’s survival hopes.

But that came after the home side were controversially denied their own spot- kick as Jeff Hendrick appeared to handle. Tom Heaton, brought in from the cold by boss Sean Dyche, also helped the Clarets come out on top in a relegation sixpointer.

A string of excellent saves from the former England keeper kept Brighton at bay.

Heaton has played a massive part in the Clarets’ unbeaten league run of seven games that has transformed their season.

And this saw Burnley draw level on points with Brighton – who are the side in freefall after just one win in 11 games in the scramble to avoid the drop. Boos rang out at full-time.

It was his 200th Seagulls game in charge for Hughton (right) – and it all turned sour.

Heaton quickly proved his worth with fine stops from Solly March and an excellent parry from Pascal Gross’s volley. Brighton had a huge double let-off after 16 minutes.

Dwight McNeil’s left- wing cross was deflected against his own crossbar by Dunk. And from the rebound ex-Seagulls striker Barnes saw his closerange header clip the top of the bar before going over.

There was an even better stop from Heaton as he flung himself to his right to keep out March’s fierce shot.

But Burnley took the lead barely a minute later and former Brighton players combined to do the damage. Barnes hooked the ball through beyond Dunk, and when the defender slipped Wood raced clear to score once more against the Seagulls. Gross went close at the other end with a shot blocked by Phil Bardsley, and the German saw Heaton claw away another effort.

Wood scored his second just past the hour, teed up by McNei l. But there was controversy on 73 minutes, with Brighton claiming a penalty for handball against Hendrick. Referee Stuart Attwell said no, and as B u rnley broke Barnes beat the offside trap before being brought down by Ryan. Burnley had not had a penalty for 67 league matches until last week – but Barnes despatched his second in two games.

Shane Duffy headed one back for Brighton, but it was too late.