Stephen Glass, the midfielder Watford have told they can no longer afford scored the goal that ensured his side’s place in the FA Cup semi-finals and a much needed boost to their depleted coffers.
Glass has been informed that he would not be re-signed when his lucrative two-year deal expires in June.
"His attitude speaks volumes. He has known for some time that we can't keep him because the numbers just don't add up, " said manager Ray Lewington.
"His free kick was really superb and I hope that and his overall play puts him in the shop window and enables him to get a good deal with another club." Glass' 79th minute free kick sealed Watford's victory after Tommy Smith had prodded them into the lead five minutes earlier.
"The first goal was always going to be important in a game of few chances, " said Burnley boss Stan Ternent.
"I've now got to lift the players for 13 big games which could get us into the play-offs and perhaps that will get us to Cardiff now." After a dreadful first half, which finished with Heidar Helguson heading wide, the exchanges became a little more exciting after the break.
A 57th minute cross from man-of-the-match Marcus Gayle was met by Helguson but he mis-hit a clear chance wide of the upright.
Burnley substitute Glen Little sent a shot over the bar with his first touch from 20 yards whereas Smith making his first appearance since a lucky escape from a car crash 16 days earlier, failed to connect when a Gavin Mahon centre set him up for a close-range shot.
Neither side looked particularly convincing in the final third although gradually Watford began to assert themselves and Helguson, after firing wide on the turn then forced keeper Marlon Beresford to tip over.
From the resulting 74th minute corner Mahon managed to poke the ball through a forest of legs where it fell to Smith who scuffed the ball home to put Watford ahead.
"Tommy should score more of those scrappy goals. He doesn't score enough of them. They are real striker’s goals whereas most of Tommy's are good goals," said the Watford manager.
Then Helguson was pulled down by Ian Cox on the edge of the area.
Gayle lined up to take the free kick but then changed his mind allowing Glass to curl the ball left footed over the wall and to the keeper's right to put the game beyond a disappointing Burnley.
"Naturally the players are down but they have done superbly well to get us this far particularly as we have been drawn away every time. " said Ternent.