Barnes winner lifts Burnley out of drop zone

Ashley Barnes’ second-half winner clinched Burnley a 2-1 win at 10-man relegation rivals Huddersfield and lifted them out of the bottom three.

Barnes notched his fifth goal of the season after Chris Wood had cancelled out Steve Mounie’s first-half opener for Huddersfield, who slumped to a club record eighth straight defeat.

The home side battled bravely despite being a man down for the entire second period following Christopher Schindler’s dismissal for two yellow-card offences just before the break.

Burnley also ended with 10 men after sub Robbie Brady’s straight red card for a cynical challenge on Isaac Mbenza in the closing stages.

The Clarets’ first league win on the road since the end of September lifted them up to 16th in the table and crucially dealt Huddersfield’s survival chances a major setback, leaving them rooted to the bottom, eight points from safety.

Dwight McNeil fired a low effort just wide and Ben Mee’s header forced a fine save from Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.

At the other end, Phil Bardsley headed Elias Kachunga’s thumping goalbound header clear before the Terriers broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

Mbenza curled over an excellent cross and Mounie headed home his first goal of the season.

It was the first goal scored by a Town striker this season and only the club’s fifth at the John Smith’s Stadium during the current campaign.

But Town’s ascendancy was short-lived. McNeil ghosted past Florent Hadergjonaj on the left edge of the area and his low cross was turned home by Wood in the 40th minute.

The home side were then dealt a hammer blow just before the interval when Schindler was shown his second yellow card by referee Mike Dean for his challenge on McNeil.

Gudmundsson curled an effort wide with 25 minutes left as 10-man Huddersfield’s endeavours were appearing to take their toll and substitute Brady, on for the impressive McNeil, shot straight at Lossl.

But Burnley carved the home side open for their 74thminute winner.

Gudmundsson, Wood and Westwood combined to set up Barnes inside the area and the Clarets striker made no mistake from 10 yards.