Preston 0-1 Burnley: Clarets win sees them top Championship as Joey Barton's free-kick proves the difference at Deepdale

Joey Barton's deflected free-kick gave Burnley the lead in the first half

Preston have a huge shout for a penalty turned down before the break

Burnley go top of the Championship with both rivals playing tomorrow

Burnley might still be waiting for the outcome of their Danny Ings tribunal with Liverpool but nobody around the club is losing sleep about the figure.

They can do without the added millions, another Premier League jackpot now within touching distance.

Two more wins will guarantee a swift return after dispensing of Lancashire rivals Preston North End on Friday night. Four points might just do it, with Sean Dyche’s creation of such a relentless outfit having moved the goalposts as to where Burnley naturally fit along football’s spectrum. 

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Burnley midfielder Joey Barton celebrates after his deflected free-kick gave his side the lead against Preston

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Clarets boss Sean Dyche salutes the away fans the Lancashire derby as his side earn a hard-fought win

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Andre Gray reminds the home crowd of the score as the Burnley striker makes his way off the pitch

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Burnley fans in the stands let off a smoke bomb during their Championship clash at Deepdale

They sit atop the second tier once again, pressure heaped back on Brighton and Middlesbrough. Those two face-off on the final day too, the Championship gripping to the last.

There remains a court squabble going as to how much Ings is worth after leaving for Liverpool, which will finally be resolved in the coming weeks. Burnley do not really require the cash and are arguably a more complete team now than they were on relegation last May.

His replacement, Andre Gray, has been a revelation. But there are more. Match-winner Joey Barton has added midfield guile, Bee Mee grown as a defender this season and Sam Vokes proving a perfect foil for Gray.

Aitor Karanka moaned about their tactics earlier this week but Burnley are the most effective team in this division. 

Tom Heaton’s late save from Daniel Johnson’s rasping drive showed just that. They do not own the stars of Boro yet appear more accomplished.

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Preston thought they were denied a clear penalty when Barton bundled over Jermaine Beckford in the box

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Andre Gray was a constant threat to the Preston defence who had to mount a rear-guard action at times

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And Burnley will wonder how this wasn’t done and dusted far earlier, passing up at least six very presentable first-half opportunities after Barton’s sixth-minute opener.

The midfielder’s free-kick, correctly awarded by maligned referee Kevin Friend for grappling on Andre Gray, deflected beyond Chris Kirkland to set the visitors on their way. A portion of the 6,000 travelling support spilled onto the pitch, one was manhandled out. Burnley were on their way.

Then came the glut of spurned chances. Gray headed wide at the near post from Barton’s wicked delivery, while Ben Mee twice went close, the second of which trickling past the near post from another set-piece.

Dean Marney tried his luck with Kirkland absent without leave, with George Boyd having skewed an early shot out for a throw-in with goal gaping.

Bar the finishing, this had been a complete performance by Burnley, one of a team ready to mix it in the top flight next season. The only blot for Dyche was Matthew Lowton raising his hands towards Joe Garner, luckily escaping with only a booking.

Preston rallied after the break, Simon Grayson ditching his 3-5-2 for something more conventional, and pinned their rivals back for spells.

Jermaine Beckford, who had wanted an earlier penalty after Barton challenge, fluffed his lines but Burnley had the better of it, twice striking the woodwork, Gray then Boyd rattling the frame.

Then came Heaton’s moment, Johnson brilliantly thwarted and a save to preserve the three points. This is not all about the strikers - two more wins and Burnley are back.

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North End skipper Tom Clarke paid particularly close attention to the Clarets' dangerman at Deepdale

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Burnley's George Boyd escapes the attention of Preston full-back Greg Cunnigham in the physical derby clash

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Barton's free-kick took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Preston stopper Chris Kirkland and sneak in

MATCH FACTS 

PRESTON: Kirkland, Woods, Clarke, Wright, Cunningham, Pearson (Johnson 10), Gallagher, Browne (Robinson 84), Reach, Garner (Hugill 74), Beckford.

Subs not used: Kilkenny, Huntington, Smith, Hudson.

Scorer: Barton 6.

Booked: Garner, Wright.

BURNLEY: Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Boyd, Marney (Jones 90+4), Barton, Arfield, Vokes, Gray (Barnes 79). 

Subs not used: Taylor, Dyer, Robinson, Tarkowski, Darikwa.

Booked: Lowton, Marney, Mee, Gray, Barton.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Attendance: 17,789.