Promotion hopefuls Burnley visited Dean Court on Saturday afternoon to face Bournemouth in the Championship.
Chances proved to be rare in a quiet first half and the deadlock was not broken until the 51st minute, when Tokelo Rantie headed Bournemouth into the lead at the near post.
The hosts were unable to secure the victory, with Keith Treacy coming off the bench to earn a point for his side with a close-range finish just 16 minutes after the opening goal.
Read below to find out how events unfolded at Dean Court.
Good afternoon everyone. I've got Championship action for you today as Burnley make the trip to Dean Court to face Bournemouth. It's a big day for Sean Dyche, who will be hoping his side can close the gap on Leicester City. Standing in their way is former Burnley manager Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth side.
There was a pitch inspection at 7.30am but there seems to be no issues with the playing surface, despite the best efforts of last night's weather. Game on!
There will certainly be some mixed emotions for Howe, who left Burnley in 2012 to rejoin Bournemouth. He's enjoyed success on his return to the club and he'll be desperate to frustrate his former side as they continue their bid for promotion.
Burnley are currently eight points behind leaders Leicester, who don't play again until they visit Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. The Foxes are firm favourites to win the title but Burnley are in pole position for the second automatic promotion spot.
BURNLEY: Heaton, Trippier, Mee, Shackell, Duff, Kightly, Marney, Arfield, Jones, Ings, Vokes
SUBSTITUTES: Cisak, Long, Edgar, Stanislas, Wallace, Barnes, Treacy
BOURNEMOUTH: Camp, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Harte, Ritchie, Arter, O'Kane, Pugh, Rantie, Grabban
SUBSTITUTES: Allsop, Smith, MacDonald, Surman, Fraser, Pitman, Kermorgant
No surprises from Dyche, who names the same team that beat Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night with the obvious threat coming from attacking pair Sam Vokes and Danny Ings. Burnley are a very settled side at the moment, which will certainly help them in the run-in.
Just one change for the hosts as Tokelo Rantie returns to the side to replace Andrew Surman, who drops to the Bournemouth bench. The Cherries will not hold back on home turf. We could be set for a cracker at Dean Court.
Plenty of focus will be on the managers today. Dyche is winning fans with the job he is doing at Turf Moor but the attention may mainly be on Howe. The 36-year-old left his old side in October 2012 and secured promotion with Bournemouth, a club he clearly cares a great deal about. Howe is still learning his trade, in truth, but he's showed he can mix it with the best already. Can he inflict pain on Burnley today?
Amazingly, it's the fifth time in a row that Dyche has named the same Burnley team. It might not be brilliant for the players on the bench but it's an excellent decision to be able to make. They're in a great position to return to the top-flight.
Burnley seem to be hitting form at the right time. They're currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in the Championship and haven't tasted defeat since losing to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day. How much longer can the run continue?
Bournemouth begin the afternoon in 15th. If you would have offered safety to Howe and his players at the start of the season, I'm sure they would have bitten your hand off. A top-half finish is certainly possible but the Cherries will just be eager to get as far away from the relegation places as possible.
The Cherries have won just once since the turn of the year but a positive result today would certainly give Howe's side a big boost at a crucial stage of the season. We've seen before that the Championship table can change in just a couple of weeks, so a win at any point is important.
The first meeting between these two sides this season came back in November. It finished 1-1, with Ings scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Rantie's opener at Turf Moor. Will these two sides be separated today?
It could be a tough ask for the Bournemouth attacking players today. Burnley have conceded just 24 goals in the league this season. Only promotion rivals Queens Park Rangers can boast a better defensive record in the Championship.
It could also be a difficult afternoon for the home defence. Just one clean sheet in 24 matches in all competitions for Howe's side. Ings and Vokes in the away side. That could be a recipe for disaster.
PREDICTION: It's time to have a guess at what the score will be this afternoon. Burnley will be desperate to pick up all three points but I'm not sure if they'll have it all their own way. 3-2 to Burnley. Fingers crossed for a thriller!
Kieran Trippier made some interesting comments yesterday, suggesting that Dyche has improved him as a defender since Howe departed Turf Moor.
The full-back told reporters: "Eddie put a lot of trust in me and made me a proper attacking full-back. He helped me a lot.
But on the flip side I got caught too many times defensively when he was here. I'm not blaming him but when Sean came in, he realised that and sat me down, talked to me and took it out on the training ground."
Just over 10 minutes left until kickoff at Dean Court. Remember, you can follow live coverage of a number of games on the site this afternoon, with both the FA Cup and Championship taking centre stage today.
We shouldn't be too far off full capacity in the ground today. It's a big afternoon for Burnley but they'll face a tough task to get past Bournemouth, who will be desperate to begin a run of good form with a victory today. Who are you backing?
Dean Court is filling up nicely now and the players are just beginning to line up in the tunnel. All the last minute preparations are being put in place the action will start in just a few minutes.
I'm sure the pier wasn't a pleasant place to be in Bournemouth last night but the conditions are fine now. It's a sunny day and this game has easily beaten the weather.
Here we go then. Big reception from the home supporters as the two sides walk out to the middle. Plenty of noise from the away fans, too. The hosts will get the game underway.
It's been a decent start from the visitors, who have seen plenty of the ball in the Bournemouth half of the pitch in the opening stages. No signs of an attack yet, though.
A minute's silence was impeccably observed for the passing of Sir Tom Finney. A true legend of the game. We send our best wishes to his family.
Nice link-up play between Grabban and Rantie but the latter loses control at a crucial moment and Heaton comes off his line to collect the ball with ease.
Bournemouth win a free kick in a dangerous position but Harte's delivery is too strong for his teammates and the ball eventually rolls out for a Burnley throw.
Pugh has seen plenty of the ball in the early stages and he's involved again as he drifts in on off the left wing. It's another Bournemouth move that ends with Heaton collecting a strong pass.
Big reaction from the away fans when Burnely win the first corner of the match. It's easily cleared by the hosts. No chances for either team yet.
SHOT! Good intent shown by Kightly as he cuts inside to earn himself some space before drilling a shot straight at Camp, who makes an easy save.
Rantie is gifted too much space on the left but he wastes the opportunity by running out of play before he can pull a cross back for his teammates. Both teams have had decent spells in the first eight minutes but it's Bournemouth who have looked better in possession.
Cook strolls out of defence and Burnely refuse to close him down. The defender responds by advancing further up the pitch before unleashing a weak shot which fails to trouble Heaton in the Burnley goal.
Good goalkeeping from Camp. Most of Bournemouth's players are forced back to defend a free kick but Camp takes charge of the situation to come off his line and take the catch. Top work. Ings and Vokes being kept very quiet so far.
First sight of goal for Ings, who leads a Burnley counter attack but the forward is crowded out by the Bournemouth defence before he can find the space to unleash a shot.
Worrying signs for the visitors now as Vokes goes down holding his head. The striker needs treatment but it looks like he should be fine to continue. Burnley can't afford to lose him.
Harte is finding plenty of space when he does advance on the left wing but, unusually for him, his final delivery has been very poor so far in this match.
Clever football from the hosts as Marney starts a move on the left before picking out Vokes. The Burnley forward turns to face goal but he's denied by Francis, who makes a brilliant last-ditch tackle to clear the danger.
It's still very cagey at Dean Court. Bournemouth have been keen to get the ball down and play a passing game but they've struggled to pick the correct pass in the final third of the pitch. No clear chances for either side after 19 minutes.
SHOT! Rantie picks out Francis, who drills a low shot straight at Heaton. It's been too easy for the Burnley goalkeeper early on.
Dreadful. Five Bournemouth players are all interested in taking a free kick 35 yards from goal. Arter wins the competition but he almost clears the stand with one of the worst efforts you'll see today.
Bournemouth's pressing game is working very well. Burnely have only really been able to pass the ball around in midfield, with Ings and Vokes looking very isolated in attack.
Heaton dives on a loose ball in the box. There's a few optimistic shouts for a back-pass from the home supporters but I don't think they have a case. The referee agrees and the game continues.
Good spell of pressure for Bournemouth but they're lacking a cutting edge. Burnley are being pushed further back and are being forced to respond with longer passes. It's not suiting Ings or Vokes.
Mee plays a long diagonal pass to Ings, whose initial control is good but he runs the ball out of play before the support can arrive.
Rantie looked very lively in the early stages but he's gone a bit quiet since then. He's being marked tightly, which doesn't look to be suiting him. He may need to drop off to collect the ball in deeper positions.
Superb from O'Kane! Burnley break away at pace and the dangerous duo of Vokes and Ings are closing in on goal. However, O'Kane responds brilliantly to make a vital interception and steal possession for his side.
The rain is starting to fall at Dean Court and the pitch is being punished as a result. It's making it difficult for the game to flow and the wind is also starting to pick up again.
Still no clear chance for either side. The two goalkeepers have barely been tested. A lack of quality in the final third of the pitch means that this game remains goalless.
SHOT! A loose ball breaks to Grabban but he can only slice a half-volley wide of the target. Half chance for the hosts.
Around eight minutes remaining in the first half. A goal for either side before the break could be a big game-changer. It's to difficult to see where the breakthrough will come from.
The Bournemouth supporters aren't happy when Kightly wins a free kick after appearing to handle the ball. Ritchie has been forced off the field due to a cut to the eye. Plenty of battles being fought in midfield. Not much happening in attack.
Ritchie is back on after some running repairs, with a bandage being placed over the cut on the eye. He'll be fine to continue.
Ritchie attempts to break the deadlock with a speculative half-volley from 30 yards out but his optimistic effort drifts well wide of the target. Maybe he'll blame that on the knock to the head!
SUBSTITUTION: Disappointing news for Bournemouth. The impressive O'Kane is forced to limp off with an injury and he's replaced by Shaun MacDonald.
Corner for Bournemouth at the end of the first half. Hart stands over the ball but his delivery is once again too firm for his teammates and Burnley win a goal kick. Three minutes added on.
A pretty poor first half is coming to an end at Dean Court. Everyone will be hoping for better after the break but I'm sure Howe would take the point at this stage.
Bourneouth finish strongly but it looks like the first half will finish goalless.
HALF-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 0-0 BURNLEY
Not much of a reaction from either set of fans. I predicted 3-2 to Burnley, but that scoreline looks a long way off from here. Very few goalscoring opportunities to report. Fingers crossed for a better second half.
I wouldn't be surprised if Dyche made a change at the break. Ross Wallace could bring some creativity to the game but Junior Stanislas would be a good option with his pace in advanced areas. The pressure is mainly on the visitors.
Bournemouth have looked much better with the ball than their opponents. A lack of quality in the final third of the pitch is what usually separates the teams in this division and the Cherries are missing a player who can change the game in an instant.
Both sets of players are on their way back out. The game will be back underway in just a few moments.
Here we go then. Burnley begin the second half.
Both sides battling for superiority at the start of the second half. No changes yet but I wouldn't be surprised if Dyche turns to his bench soon.
Burnley enjoy an extended spell of possession. They've certainly increased their tempo of play since the break. I'm guessing Dyche wasn't pleased with the first half display. Kightly's corner is cleared to the edge of the box and Bournemouth make couple of block to end the threat.
Kightly has started the second half on the right for Burnley. He can be a key man for his side but he struggled to get involved before the break.
GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BURNLEY (RANTIE)
Breakthrough for the hosts! A corner is cleared back to Harte, who whips in a dangerous cross to the near post where Rantie glances a header past Heaton. It may have taken a slight deflection but the hosts won't mind.
CHANCE! Burnley miss the opportunity to pull level. Marney breaks free of his marker and pulls the ball back for Ings, who slices his shot inside the box. Big let off for Bournemouth.
That goal has changed everything. Camp almost lost his head a few moments ago when he cam rushing off his line. Burnely are being forced to increase the pace but Bournemouth are responding well.
SHOT! Arfield is offered some space and he chooses to target the top corner from 25 yards but his effort drifts wide of the target.
Dyche is urging his side on from the sidelines. This is a big test of their promotion credentials. Leicester will be delighted if Bournemouth can hold on for all three points today. Mee collects a pass from Vokes but his strike is poor from the edge of the box.
Clear signs of frustration from Burnley as Bournemouth begin to rush the visiting midfielders in possession once again. The home sides are delighted with their players. It's been a different game since the half time interval!
SUBSTITUTIONS: Dyche sends on Wallace to replace Kightly, who has had a difficult afternoon and Arfield also makes way for Keith Treacy.
Can the two substitutes make the difference? Burnley have looked better since falling behind. Break in play at Dean Court as Rantie receives some treatment.
Bournemouth are being forced to play on the counter now, which could suit Howe's side. Burnely are committing more players forward but we've still not seen much of Ings in this game.
25 minutes plus stoppage time remaining at Dean Court and Burnley, genuine contenders for automatic promotion, have barely threatened.
GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 BURNLEY (TREACY)
Super sub! Just as I say that Burnley have barely threatened, they equalise thanks to one of the substitutes. Wallace's speculative effort is deflected towards the back post and Treacy arrives to smash home from close range. Will there be a winner?
CLOSE! Burnley stand off Harte, who responds by curling in an inviting cross. Francis rises highest but he can't keep his header from sailing over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Rantie comes off to be replaced and Yann Kermorgant is introduced as his replacement.
Bournemouth's confidence has been hit by that equaliser. Burnley are in control of the game now and they're finding it much easier to create space in advanced areas.
The stadium announcer has confirmed that today's attendance is 10,422, with 1406 Burnley supporters making the trip today.
SAVE! Grabban's effort is pushed behind for a corner by Heaton, who makes an even better save just moments later to keep out Elphick's close-range header. Superb goalkeeping.
How important could that Heaton save be? Burnley are on top still but they simply cannot afford to concede for the second time this afternoon.
Kermorgant is certainly offering a different threat in attack with his aerial ability. Bournemouth are going slightly more direct as a result but Burnley are handling it well.
The home supporters think they've won a penalty when Grabban goes down under a challenge but the referee awards a free kick on the edge of the box. It's a great position for the Cherries to threaten the goal.
It takes a long time for the free kick to be taken. I'm still not sure whether a penalty would have been the correct decision. Kermorgant curls a shot over from the set-piece. Just over 10 minutes left at Dean Court.
SUBSTITUTION: Dyche uses his final change to replace Vokes with Ashley Barnes.
Burnley are asking most of the questions but Bournemouth are refusing to just sit back and invite the pressure. Can either of these teams doe enough to win the game?
The visitors see a couple of corners cleared by Bournemouth, who move up the field as a team to put the pressure back on Burnley. It's been a very good second half following the disappointing opening 45 minutes.
CROSSBAR! So close to a Bournemouth winner. Pugh does superbly to pull the ball back from the byline. A couple of home players miss the ball before Francis controls and smashes the crossbar with a fine effort.
SUBSTITUTION: Howe makes another change as Brett Pitman comes on for Grabban.
YELLOW CARD! Pitman introduces himself to the game by receiving a caution for a very late challenge on Trippier. Very poor tackle from the substitute.
Pitman in the game once again as he picks out Ritchie, who strikes an effort straight at Heaton. Easy save. Time running out.
Kermorgant becomes the latest player to be booked for a late challenge on Mee. Four minutes of added time to be played.
Bournemouth concede a free kick 35 yards from their own goal. Treacy has a good opportunity to cause problems but he fails to pick out any of his teammates in the box.
It doesn't look like either team are going to create any more chances. Have they settled for a point each? Pitman commits another foul but he receives just a lecture on this occasion.
FULL-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 BURNLEY
It's all over at Dean Court. Both teams are forced to collect just one point. Bournemouth might have expected better after taking the lead but a below-par Burnley side managed to hit back through Keith Treacy to earn a draw. They are now seven points behind leaders Leicester.
Bournemouth will surely be happy with a point from this fixture. Howe causes some frustration for his old team but his new side certainly deserved at least a draw this afternoon. Following a poor first half we were treated to an entertaining second period.
That's all from me this afternoon. It ends 1-1 at Dean Court. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage today and make sure you stick around on the site for reaction from across the country. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
