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Any way for those who were up to it, Walsall were largely unimpressive and apart from a twenty minute spell after they had equalised, there was little by way of threat coming from the visitors, for who Paul Merson still looks a class act, his vision and awareness still evident.
On the class act front for the Clarets was Andy Todd, who in his final loan game, was simply immense at the heart of the Clarets defence. Without the injured May and hampered by the uncertainty of his partner for the day Branch, Todd at times defended on his own, demonstrating a composure on the ball and a reading of situations that Clarets will surely miss with his departure confirmed.
With the game barely underway Clarets took the lead in the third minute in their first attack. Chadwick cut inside his man, played a neat one two off Blake and then West squared the ball from inside the area and there was Delroy Facey all alone at the far post who, from five yards, made no mistake for his first goal since joining on loan.
The game passed both teams by as a passing contest in the early stages, both sides content to squander possession, the visitors winning the aimless pass contest with a string of over hit, aimless punts to phantom team mates.
On the quarter hour, a bright opening resulting from pacy Facey's strength and power saw the ball cleared, just, but only in the direction of the inrushing West. West's strike was a good one and Walker did well to tip the rising drive on to the bar as the crowd was finally brought into life.
The burst inspired Clarets who then took the game to their visitors. Chadwick fed Moore whose shot on the turn was well taken in the midriff by Walker, before Blake was next to try and find a way past the impressive keeper, this time needing assistance from the goal frame to keep the ball out.
West had another go this time from twenty five yards, as a by now rampant Clarets, looked the more likely to add the next goal. This was though forgetting Clarets frailties in defence and they were embarrassed into conceding a weak equaliser on twenty five minutes.
A poorly flighted Samways corner was watched all the way across his goal by Statueson in the Clarets goal who was then left flat footed by Merson's simply nodded header back over the once again unimpressive goalkeeper, who was reminded of his duties by his vociferous defenders as they embarrassingly took up their positions for the kick off.
The goal changed the pattern of the game for a while and Walsall, inspired by Merson, looked to make the most of their chances. The square home defensive line was caught napping by Merson's curling pass from the wing.
Leitao, having skipped by Jensen's delayed lunge, then found he wanted too much time and the keeper recovered to watch Branch scramble the ball away for a corner from which ironic cheers greeted the effort of goal minding as the ample framed one came to collect the cross.
Next up in the embarrassed department was Branch, caught sleeping by Leitao's cross and he could be thankful to a brave Weller, throwing himself to block Matias' shot, Jensen also looking relieved from his poor position.
Finally, Clarets cleared their heads and went up field again, though Weller could have done much better than head tamely at Walker, when unmarked six yards out. Weller then combined well with Blake as the two one-two'd neatly, the cross though was well defended and the danger passed.
Coming up to the break, Matias' dangerous cross just eluded Leitao and O'Neil as the two bore in on Jensen's goal with Clarets defence looking on in despair. On the stroke of half time there was still one last mix up between Branch and Jensen, both thinking "yours" and saying nowt as the ball was headed away for a needless corner.
The final action was though on Walker's goal, the frame once again coming to the rescue as Facey's downward header beat Walker but hit the outside of the upright before Mr Jones blew allowing the chilled cheerleaders their chance to warm up. HT 1-1.
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A half chance fell to Weller only seconds in to the half, but the volley was more skyward than goal ward and the chance was gone before the Bovril suppers had taken their seats.
As the wind grew in strength, Blake tried to curl one past Walker, but by now the Clarets pattern was set, albeit with rather slow predictable passing movements, the slowness allowing Walsall to keep their shape and their at times 7-2-1 formation.
Samways was booked for tugging the impressive and hard working Chaplow to the floor as the youngster tried to inject a little passion into Clarets forays up field. Twenty minutes in and Moore's lack of predatory instincts denied him a goal when misreading Blake's cross. Minutes later and Walker need to be sharp to whip the ball off Chaplow's toe as the youngster looked to ram home a close range effort.
Twenty minutes from time and Clarets create a good chance albeit from a simple construction. Todd in clearing up at the back moved forwards and his straight pass up field bypassed midfield finding Facey in full flight. Able to hold off his marker he then fired a powerful shot goal wards that Walker clearly tipped away but only a goal kick was awarded.
It was not be long though before the loan striker was to get his second goal, which duly arrived with eight minutes remaining. Blake's clever free kick was precise and to the near post where a stooping Facey glanced home leaving Walker with no chance as Tom Hark bellowed out once again.
Walsall tried an immediate reply gaining a free kick in a dangerous position. Everyone held their breath as Jensen worried from Merson's advance, but the kick was wide and breathing started up once again in the home stands the ball glancing the outside of the side netting.
Five minutes from time and Facey claimed his first match ball. Chadwick's dribble from the touchline saw a pass to Chaplow turned on to Blake, the through ball to Facey was good and the resulting left footer was powerful and over the outstretched Walker as Walsall's defenders chased the linesman querying his eyesight from allowing Chadwick's dribble to continue.
So that was that. A two goal margin was enough and even Jensen was relaxed enough to take a late shot without parrying or punching to leave everyone happy at the final whistle, the Clarets moving up to eighth spot as a consequence of Facey sticking the match ball up his shirt, our Stanley later quipping it would cost Facey £75 for the ball. FT 3-1.
Att:- 10,532.
Star Gazer
Ian Moore. Delroy Facey was left to show what running off the ball and desire can do. Sadly these are attributes currently lacking from the £1m man's powder dry arsenal. Seemingly content to be marked and a general lack of contribution throughout saw another meek performance pass by. The half term report says - could do better.
Beer Money
Strange that for a club that can only muster three subs we can still afford two mascots, after Bumble made his first appearance of the season. Quite why only fourteen could be given jobs for the afternoon is down to the management team, but for anyone fit and not selected this surely is a damning view of their talents and a curious way to make a point.
Star Geezer
Facey, Todd and Chadwick were all contenders, but my vote goes to Richard Chaplow for an all round display of belief, energy, availability and at times good support play both to his defenders and strikers. The eighteen year old was only making his sixth appearance, but on the evidence of this display here is a rare talent emerging from Clarets youth structure.
Champagne Tastes
Five games unbeaten, eighth spot in the League, this looks like a squad that, if strengthened, could make a play off challenge. It will be very interesting to see who is brought in to replace the departing Todd (with Ipswich, then West Ham next up) and whether we've seen the last of the popular Todd in a Clarets shirt