Burnley dent West Brom play-off hopes

Burnley 3 West Brom 2

Substitute Chris McCann’s late winner dented 10-man West Brom’s Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopes.

Goals from Jason Koumas and Nathan Ellington saw the visitors race into a two-goal lead with just seven minutes on the clock.

But, with Andy Gray having closed the gap with a quarter of an hour gone, West Brom’s Paul McShane was sent off just before the interval.

The Irish defender challenged for a header but only connected with Burnley’s James O’Connor and his dismissal by referee Mike Jones provoked fierce protests from Baggies boss Tony Mowbray at half time.

Gray took just two minutes of the second half to get the Clarets back on level terms with a close-range finish to take his tally to 13 for the season.

McCann robbed Diomansy Kamara in midfield and fed Ade Akinbiyi but the striker produced a weak shot that failed to trouble Kiely.

Elliott’s header also lacked power but Kiely pulled off a fine stop in the 62nd minute from McCann’s thumping header.

McCann’s fierce drive flew just high and wide a couple of minutes later and Steven Caldwell headed over.

With just over three minutes left, the impressive McCann headed the winner from Duff’s deep cross to earn Burnley a fifth win in six matches.