Burnley stunned their supporters by doing a hare and tortoise act along the road to Wembley in the 6th round match at Turf Moor on Saturday. They emulated the hare, for with a clear lead they - and everyone present - thought that the game was won. Blackburn Rovers, plodding along looking a well-beaten side, then scored three goals to draw level. The next stage of the "Who's for the final?" struggle takes place at Ewood Park tonight. It must be emphasised however, that the decision which proved to be the start of the Blackburn revival and the turning point of the whole game was quite harsh and inexplicable to say the least. It proved once again how a referee's ruling can alter the course of a match.

Also it demonstrates how an official has to concentrate on the common-sense application of the laws in all circumstances. The penalty incident received a different interpretation than most spectators would have been inclined to apply - and many Blackburn people were of this opinion too.

The ball curled from Elder's boot up his arm. There was no-one near him at the time, in other words, no danger to either himself or his goal. He did not try to control the ball with his arm.

However, Mr.Hunt gave his decision, Douglas scored and the Rovers' revival commenced. Poor Elder was most upset, but he has no need to reproach himself. The number of his fellow countrymen who sailed over on Friday night specially to see the match would be the first to offer their sympathy for an over zealous interpretation of the handling clause.

It was a pity that the decision had such a vital and lasting effect on what proved to be a most memorable game. What is more, it might alter the whole destination of the F.A.Cup. Or even the choice of Cup final referee.

However, it certainly altered the events in this incredible match which was an encounter eagerly awaited and enthusiastically received. It was a game of phases, with Blackburn being the more forceful team in the first half. Burnley suddenly applying one of their famous goal-studded spells of pressure early in the second and then Rovers fighting back in a thrilling climax.

The assembled hordes sporting blue and white or claret and blue gave the respective teams a tumultuous reception at the start, as if to help them forget that they had met the previous week in a 'cat and mouse' match, and now were hoping to see the real football of traditional merit with two such old and honourable clubs. Certainly both sides soon proved that they were in a different mood from the Saturday before. There was little preliminary probing and both went after the ball as if time was limited and goalscoring the only passport to the glittering portals and golden guineas of wondrous Wembley. As expected too, it was a no-quarter game.

The tackles were tough and the exchanges hard as players went down in a whirl of arms and legs. The play provided more hopeful action than actual football at this stage. The excitement of the crowd subtley conveyed itself to the players and there resulted a great deal of chasing and chevvying without any high standard of constructive purpose being achieved. Burnley tried progress via the wings while Blackburn were more content to hammer a way down the middle with the added attraction of shooting whenever the 18-yard line came into view. A typical Cup-tie, with much honest endeavor an snatches of skill when McIlroy and Douglas tried to slow down the speed to instil some order into the proceedings.

Burnley attempted to be more methodical and to use judgment in distribution only to be harried into errors by the terrier tackling of the Rovers. Blackburn's forwards dashed back to disrupt the scheming of the home wing-halves and force them to part more hurriedly than they intended.

Half time arrived with the score sheets blank and Burnley supporters secretly wondering if they had under-estimated the potentialities of this side from Blackburn. However, the home attck having derived benefit from the break either through lecture or meditation, immediately sought to give reassurance to their customers that they had not forgotten that progress is brought by goals.

McIlroy gained possession and after stroking the ball as if reluctant to allow anyone else a fair view of it suddenly whipped it out to the unmarked PILKINGTON, who promptly right-footed it over the left-hand of the startled Leyland, and it dipped under the crossbar and inside the post.

Seven minutes later, McIlroy teased his way round and through a challenging quartet of blue and white, came down the by-line and his hard, low centre was neatly diverted into the net by POINTER. The roar nearly lifted the stand roof. Burnley were the confident, capable team of mid-November and their silk-smooth moves were troubling the Rovers more than somewhat. They had found themselves, and their old drive and power which makes them one of the greatest sides in the country when they can produce their true form.

This time it was Adamson who hit the crossfield diagonal pass which drew the Rovers the wrong way. CONNELLY caught the mood of the moment and in an inspired dash wheeled into the penalty area and found the far corner of the net.

Three up and more goals seemed on the way. Unfortunately, they went between the wrong goalposts. Credit to the Rovers for their refusal to show how much they had been shaken by this furious 13 minute spell of Burnley energy. They were the inferior team, but still struggled to upset the masterly poise of their opponents. Whether Burnley developed too much confidence and thought they could contain the Rovers' attacks easily is a matter for conjecture. The penalty incident put Blackburn back in the game. They began to show their first half fight and the alert and thrustful DOBING suddenly darted through to bring the margin of goals to one.

This created Blackburn joy, but it came as a profound shock to Burnley. The home defence showed signs of upset when the Rovers surged forward with renewed enthusiasm. Then four minutes from the end, McGRATH stormed up following a free-kick and drove his shot through the rival ranks, hit the far post and the ball rebounded over the line.

A hectic finish, both sides went for the decider, but Burnley had lost that sense of initiative. Both Dougan and Dobing were inches wide of their objective in the closing minutes. Pilkington headed wide for Burnley. And so, having had a clear advantage in this six-goal saga, the Turf Moor team found themselves with their fourth Cup replay - but this time away from home. However, Blackburn may be confident of winning, but the 'reverse' plus the penalty incident, should go a long way towards making Burnley more determined to make sure and stay sure.

The �10,148 receipts total was a ground record. Attendance: 51,501.

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